RCB Faces IPL 2026 Blow: Star Pacer Nuwan Thushara Out After SLC Denies NOC

• Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star pacer Nuwan Thushara will miss IPL 2026 after Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) denied his No Objection Certificate (NOC).
• SLC rejected the NOC due to Thushara failing to meet newly enforced mandatory physical performance benchmarks.
• Thushara, signed by RCB for Rs. 1.60 crore, is not injured but his overall fitness levels were flagged as a concern.
• This leaves RCB scrambling for replacements just two days before the season, with other key pacers also sidelined.
• Several other Sri Lankan players, including Dushmantha Chameera and Dasun Shanaka, successfully cleared fitness tests for IPL participation.