Sri Lanka Cricket to run fitness tests before clearing players for IPL

Sri Lanka Cricket will conduct fitness assessments early next week in Colombo before granting No Objection Certificates to several players selected for the upcoming Indian Premier League. Among those required to undergo testing are Matheesha Pathirana of Kolkata Knight Riders, Wanindu Hasaranga of Lucknow Super Giants, Eshan Malinga of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Nuwan Thushara of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Franchise officials indicated they will receive clarity only after Monday and Tuesday’s evaluations. 

Other Sri Lankan players, including Dushmantha Chameera and Pathum Nissanka of Delhi Capitals and Kamindu Mendis of Sunrisers Hyderabad, have already secured their NOCs for the season beginning March 28. In total, seven Sri Lankans are set to feature in the tournament. 

Pathirana, Hasaranga, Malinga and Thushara all missed part or all of the recent T20 World Cup due to injuries, though details remain limited. Despite these concerns, IPL teams remain optimistic that SLC will clear the players once testing is complete.