Nuwan Thushara is set to miss the upcoming IPL 2026 season in a significant setback for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) declined to issue him a No Objection Certificate (NOC).

The decision comes following SLC’s latest policy requiring all centrally contracted players to meet strict fitness standards before being cleared for overseas franchise leagues. Thushara reportedly failed to reach the required fitness benchmarks, leading to uncertainty over his participation and eventual exclusion.

RCB had secured the services of the Sri Lankan pacer for approximately INR 1.6 crore, viewing him as a valuable addition to their pace attack. However, his absence could now force the franchise to rethink their squad composition ahead of the tournament.

Interestingly, reports indicate that Thushara is not carrying any injury and remains available to bowl. Despite this, concerns over his overall fitness levels falling short of SLC’s criteria have ultimately ruled him out of the competition.

During his stint with RCB, Thushara featured in just one match, largely serving as a backup option. He made a notable impact in that appearance, returning figures of 1 for 26 with an impressive economy rate of 6.50, showcasing his potential when called upon.

Sri Lanka will tour India in December 2026 for an exciting white-ball series featuring three ODIs and three T20Is. The tour promises competitive cricket action across multiple iconic venues, giving fans across the country a chance to witness the matches live.

The ODI series will begin on December 13 in Delhi, followed by the second match in Bengaluru on December 16. The third and final ODI will be played in Ahmedabad on December 19.
The T20I series will kick off on December 22 in Rajkot. The action will then move to Cuttack for the second T20I on December 24, before concluding in Pune on December 27.

ODI Series
•⁠ ⁠13 Dec – 1st ODI – Delhi
•⁠ ⁠16 Dec – 2nd ODI – Bengaluru
•⁠ ⁠19 Dec – 3rd ODI – Ahmedabad
T20I Series
•⁠ ⁠22 Dec – 1st T20I – Rajkot
•⁠ ⁠24 Dec – 2nd T20I – Cuttack
•⁠ ⁠27 Dec – 3rd T20I – Pune

Sri Lanka suffered a narrow 0–1 defeat against Nepal in their second outing of the SAFF U-20 Championship 2026, played in Malé, Maldives on Wednesday. Despite the loss, the young Sri Lankan side delivered a spirited performance and remained firmly in contention for a place in the semi-finals.

Coming into the match, Sri Lanka were high on confidence after scripting history in their opening game with a thrilling 3–2 victory over hosts Maldives. That win marked their first Under-20 triumph against Maldives since 2002, ending a 24-year wait and boosting morale within the squad.

Riding on that momentum, Sri Lanka started positively against Nepal, showing intent and discipline across the pitch. However, the decisive moment came in the 21st minute when Subash Bam found the back of the net to give Nepal the lead.

Sri Lanka responded strongly after conceding, pressing forward in search of an equalizer. Their attacking movements created several promising opportunities, but a combination of missed chances and resolute defending by Nepal denied them a breakthrough.

Luck also seemed to evade the Sri Lankan side, as their efforts in the final third failed to yield results.

Defensively, Sri Lanka remained organized and prevented further damage, keeping the contest alive until the final whistle. Their fighting spirit and determination were evident throughout the match, reflecting the team’s growing confidence and cohesion.

Despite the defeat, Sri Lanka still have a strong chance of progressing to the semi-finals. They currently sit second in the group table with three points, just behind Nepal, and will look to bounce back in their remaining fixtures.