Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara’s legal challenge against Sri Lanka Cricket over the refusal to grant a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) has drawn international attention, with the World Cricketers’ Association (WCA) expressing concern over players being forced to take legal action to secure playing opportunities.
Speaking to Newswire, World Cricketers’ Association CEO Tom Moffat said the situation reflects a broader global issue regarding player rights and governance structures in cricket.
“We hope that common sense prevails as we are seeing more and more of these issues around the world, and we believe they are avoidable. Players shouldn’t be required to take legal action to enforce their basic rights. The NOC system is currently built on the idea that a governing body can control or prevent a player from earning a living elsewhere — even when there is no contractual relationship with them. People working in any industry would find that difficult to understand,” Moffat said.
He added that the WCA remains committed to protecting player rights while maintaining the stability of the sport.
“WCA cares about the future of the sport, its stability, and the rights of players within it. Those things are not mutually exclusive and we remain open to working with all stakeholders to build balanced, fairer regulatory systems fit for modern cricket. Our global game structure report released last year looked at these and other issues in detail and proposed some constructive ways forward,” he said.
Thushara last week filed a case in the Colombo District Court seeking an order directing Sri Lanka Cricket to issue an NOC to enable his participation in the 2026 IPL. This is the first time a player has filed legal action seeking an NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket.
In his plaint, Thushara has named Sri Lanka Cricket President Shammi Silva, Secretary Bandula Dissanayake, Treasurer Sujeewa Godaliyadda and CEO Ashley de Silva as defendants.
Thushara states that he was selected by Royal Challengers for the 2026 IPL, having previously participated in the tournament in 2024 and 2025 after receiving NOCs from Sri Lanka Cricket.
However, Sri Lanka Cricket refused to issue the NOC for 2026 citing failure to meet newly introduced fitness standards, according to court filings.
The fast bowler argues that his contract with Sri Lanka Cricket lapsed on March 31, 2026, and that he had informed the board of his intention not to renew the contract and step away from international cricket.
He further states that he had already been informed he would not be selected for national duties and therefore the refusal to grant an NOC based on fitness grounds was unjustified.
Thushara also claims that his fitness levels were consistent with those maintained throughout his career and that similar standards had not prevented Sri Lanka Cricket from issuing NOCs in previous years.
He has told court that failure to issue the NOC would result in him being replaced by his IPL franchise, leading to the loss of significant income and future career opportunities.
Thushara is seeking a declaration that he is entitled to the NOC, along with interim and permanent injunctions directing Sri Lanka Cricket to issue the certificate to allow him to participate in the IPL and other overseas leagues.
The case is scheduled to be taken up for hearing on April 9.
