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 Cricket has announced a sweeping revamp of its High Performance Centre coaching framework, aiming to strengthen player development after the national team’s disappointing ICC Men’s T20 World Cup campaign.

The restructuring follows recommendations from the Executive Committee and marks a significant shift in the way coaching resources are deployed. Just days after Sanath Jayasuriya stepped down as Head Coach, former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten was appointed on a two-year contract beginning mid-April. Kirsten is expected to bring in his own specialists in spin, fast bowling, and fielding, leading to several reassignments within the HPC and domestic structures.

Julian Wood, hired last October as a power-hitting specialist, now serves as HPC Power Hitting Coach across all squads, including women’s cricket. Rene Ferdinands, a biomechanics expert and former national spin bowling coach, has transitioned to HPC Spin Bowling Coach with a focus on scientific aspects of bowling. Meanwhile, Jehan Mubarak, Thilina Kandamby, and Ravindra Pushpakumara have been moved into the domestic coaching structure of the National Super League, Major Clubs, and Division I schools. One of the most debated decisions is the reassignment of Avishka Gunawardena from Sri Lanka ‘A’ Head Coach to the U-19 team. Gunawardena, known for discipline and modern techniques, had overseen consistent performances with the ‘A’ team. His replacement, Ashan Priyanjan, is a recently retired cricketer with limited coaching experience, raising questions about the rationale behind the appointment.

The new framework places Gary Kirsten at the helm of the national team, with support staff to be appointed. Ashan Priyanjan takes charge of the ‘A’ team as Head Coach and Batting Coach, assisted by Chamara Silva, Anusha Samaranayake, Rumesh Ratnayake, Sachith Pathirana, Manoj Abeywickrama, and Upul Chandana. The Emerging Team will have coaches appointed on assignment basis, with Saman Jayantha, Dammika Sudarshana, Darshana Gamage, and Piyal Wijetunga handling batting, fast bowling, and spin, while fielding is managed by HPC pool coaches.

The U-19 team is now led by Avishka Gunawardena, supported by Omesh Wijesiriwardena and Dilruwn Perera, with fielding again overseen by HPC specialists. Julian Wood and Rene Ferdinands continue as HPC Power Hitting and Spin Bowling Coaches respectively, while Mubarak, Kandamby, and Pushpakumara contribute to domestic structures.

On the women’s side, Jamie Siddons remains Head Coach of the national team, assisted by Sumithra Warnakulasuriya, Dumida Perera, Chamila Gamage, Sajeewa Weerakoon, and Kaman Mapatuna. The Women’s ‘A’ team is led by Sampath Perera, with Gayan Wijekoon, Vimukthi Deshapriya, and Sajeewa Weerakoon in supporting roles. The Women’s U-19 team is headed by Mahesh Weerasinghe, with Ruvin Peiris, Chamila Gamage, Sajeewa Weerakoon, and Anton Costa completing the staff. This comprehensive restructuring signals SLC’s intent to build a stronger pipeline of talent, blending international expertise with domestic development, as the country looks ahead to future international competitions.

Hyderabad Kingsmen, one of the two debutant franchises in the upcoming Pakistan Super League (PSL) season, are exploring options to fill the void left by South African pacer Ottniel Baartman. The 11th edition of the PSL is set to run from March 26 to May 3.

According to sources, the Kingsmen have approached Sri Lankan mystery spinner Maheesh Theekshana to join their squad. His availability, however, hinges on securing a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Baartman, who was picked during the historic inaugural PSL auction at Lahore’s Expo Centre on February 11 for PKR 1.1 crore, has withdrawn from the tournament. Neither the player nor the franchise has disclosed the reason for his absence.

Theekshana, meanwhile, offers proven pedigree in the shortest format. The 23-year-old has already represented Sri Lanka in 83 T20Is, bagging 82 wickets at an economy rate of 7.08. His franchise résumé is equally impressive, with stints in the IPL, SA20, ILT20, CPL, and LPL, making him a sought-after asset in global T20 leagues.

The PSL’s landmark 11th edition will feature eight teams, including new entrants Hyderabad Kingsmen and Rawalpindi, battling across 44 matches in 39 days. In a significant shift, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has streamlined the tournament logistics, announcing that all fixtures will be staged in Karachi and Lahore behind closed doors.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the revised plans after consultations with franchise owners and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the Patron-in-Chief of the league. Initially, six cities—Multan, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and Lahore—were under consideration as hosts, but the board opted for consolidation to ensure smooth operations.
With Baartman’s exit and Theekshana’s potential arrival, Hyderabad Kingsmen’s debut campaign promises intrigue, as the franchise looks to make its mark in Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.