Eshan Malinga bolsters ailing SRH bowling attack as SLC grants NOCs for IPL & PSL

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, and Kamindu Mendis 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.

Since SRH won’t have the services of Pat Cummins, 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.

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. Meanwhile, Kusal Mendis has been granted an NOC to appear for Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026.

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