Sri Lanka announces central contracts for 2026-27, Nuwan Thushara included after IPL court case vs SLC

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced national player contracts for the 2026-27 season. 46 cricketers, including 7 new players, have been awarded. The central contracts have been categorised under A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1 grades based on performance, consistency, fitness, potential, and strategic requirements. However, the SLC hasn’t revealed which players fall under which category.

SLC awards 46 players’ central contracts

Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Isitha Wijesundera, Wanuja Sahan, Dilum Sudeera, and Tharindu Rathnayake are the new inclusions in the central contracts, the time frame for which is 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027.

“Sri Lanka Cricket congratulates all contracted players and extends a special welcome to those receiving national contracts for the first time. The awarding of these contracts reflects SLC’s continued commitment to rewarding performance, nurturing emerging talent, and maintaining a strong pool of players capable of representing Sri Lanka across international formats of the game.

Sri Lanka Cricket looks forward to the players continuing to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, discipline, and excellence as they strive to bring success to the nation during the forthcoming international season,” the SLC said in a release.

Image Credit: Viraj Kothalwala/Alamy Live News

Nuwan Thushara included despite court case

One of the surprise inclusions is Nuwan Thushara. The fast bowler was refused a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to represent the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 from the SLC. This prompted Thushara to file a case against the board.

In his appeal, the 31-year-old claimed that he had informed SLC about his decision to refuse a central contract, retire from international cricket and explore franchise leagues. Despite this, SLC didn’t provide him a No Objection Certificate (NOC). The board cited failure to achieve the required score in the time-bound 2-kilometre sprint test as the reason.

His argument was that since he wasn’t contracted, he didn’t need to clear the mandatory fitness assessment for the NOC. However, 3 weeks later, Thushara withdrew his case and apologised to the SLC. It was expected that he would accept a central contract and reconsider taking international retirement. That’s exactly what’s happened.

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All LPL 2026 squads after Lanka Premier League draft

Sri Lanka central contracted players for 2026-27 season

Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dasun Shanaka, Maheesh Theekshana, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Niroshan Dickwella, Jeffrey Vandersay, Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Pavan Rathnayake, Eshan Malinga, Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Avishka Fernando, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara, Sonal Dinusha, Sahan Arachchige, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Lahiru Udara, Nuwanidu Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Isitha Wijesundara, Nishan Madushka, Akila Dananjaya, Chamika Karunaratne, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Mohammed Shiraz, Wanuja Sahan, Dilum Sudeera, and Tharindu Ratnayake

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