Sri Lanka Cricket has made it mandatory for players to pass fitness tests before receiving no-objection certificates (NOCs) to participate in the Indian Premier League 2026, tightening its focus on player conditioning and injury management.
Several Sri Lankan players are directly affected by the directive, including Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana and Eshan Malinga, who are yet to complete their physical performance tests as they continue rehabilitation from injuries sustained around the T20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis have successfully cleared the tests and are eligible to feature in the IPL. The status of Nuwan Thushara remains uncertain, pending his results.
The move is part of a broader initiative led by the national selection committee under Pramodya Wickramasinghe, alongside support from the country’s sports ministry. With Sri Lanka not scheduled to play international cricket until late May, the board has introduced an eight-week training program aimed at improving fitness standards among contracted players.
The fitness assessment reportedly includes multiple components, such as a 2km sprint, designed to ensure players meet required physical benchmarks before competing in both domestic and franchise cricket.
Sri Lanka Cricket stated that only those who meet these standards will be granted NOCs, effectively linking IPL participation to fitness compliance. The policy reflects growing concerns over injuries and player workload management.
With the IPL set to begin on March 28, several players now face a race against time to prove their fitness, making conditioning a decisive factor in their availability for one of the world’s biggest T20 leagues.
