Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Eshan Malinga and Kusal Mendis to appear in franchise leagues. Recently, SLC mandated the clearance of fitness tests to feature in leagues.
Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka, Kamindu Mendis and Dasun Shanaka had cleared the physical performance test and were, therefore, granted NOCs to feature in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. However, Wanindu Hasaranga, Matheesha Pathirana, Nuwan Thushara, and Eshan Malinga weren’t cleared.
Eshan Malinga to join SRH soon
Luckily for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Malinga has aced his fitness test. According to News Wire, the slingy right-arm fast bowler will join his IPL franchise soon enough. Malinga was SRH’s best bowler last season. In just 7 matches, he picked up 13 wickets at an economy of 8.92.
Malinga had dislocated his shoulder on February 1 while playing against England and had missed the entire T20 World Cup 2026. His participation in the IPL 2026 looked uncertain, but luckily for SRH, he’s recovered in time.
Since SRH won’t have the services of Pat Cummins in the initial phases at least, their captain and highest wicket-taker last year, having Malinga becomes even more essential. He has the ability to bowl in all phases, but proved to be a difference maker at the back end last season.
Meanwhile, Kusal has been granted an NOC to appear for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. Shanaka, who had originally gone unsold in the IPL 2026 auction, has joined the Rajasthan Royals as the replacement for the injured Sam Curran.
Hasaranga, Pathirana, and Thushara won’t feature for the Lucknow Super Giants, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026 unless they ace their fitness assessment.
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