![Nuwan Thushara leaves RCB in troubled waters [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1776926132349_thushararcbipl.jpg?type=hq)
Nuwan Thushara leaves RCB in troubled waters [Source: AFP]
In a significant development, Nuwan Thushara has taken a dramatic U-turn, withdrawing his complaint against the Sri Lanka Cricket. Thushara, who was supposed to play for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, couldn't join the RCB IPL 2026 squad in time due to a fitness setback.
He was purchased for INR 1.60 crore in the IPL 2025 auction. When Josh Hazlewood flew back to Australia in the middle of the tournament, Thushara spearheaded the RCB bowling attack with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Lungi Ngidi in the 2025 edition of the tournament.
Nuwan Thushara dragged SLC to court for not issuing him NOC
Sri Lankan fast bowler Nuwan Thushara missed the T20 World Cup 2026 due to poor form. He was poised to make his return to competitive cricket through an IPL 2026 stint with RCB.
However, in a massive setback for Thushara and the Royal Challengers, the Sri Lankan board denied him an NOC after he failed in a fitness test.
The right-arm pacer could score only 17 out of 29, with the Lankan cricket body rejecting his NOC application and denying him an opportunity to participate in the IPL 2026.
Thushara initially felt ill-treated by the SLC and filed a case against the Sri Lankan board for its actions.
Thushara withdraws case against SLC in strange U-turn
Now, in the latest development, Nuwan Thushara has withdrawn his complaint against the SLC despite the board not issuing him an NOC for the IPL 2026.
As reported by Sri Lanka's local media outlet, The Daily Mirror, Thushara won't challenge the Lankan board's decision in the court.
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The report states that Thushara has willingly withdrawn the case, realising that half of the current IPL season is already done and dusted.
As his availability for the remainder of the season is bleak, the experienced speedster doesn't want a legal tussle with the apex cricketing body of his country. So, with Thushara withdrawing his complaint, the court had to dismiss the case and acquit the SLC of all charges.
RCB left in troubled waters by Thushara's case withdrawal
Nuwan Thushara provided RCB with a reliable overseas pace bowling option amid Josh Hazlewood's persistent struggles with injuries. The Australian speedster recently recovered from an Achilles injury that had also sidelined him from the T20 World Cup.
Considering Hazlewood's career has been marred by frequent fitness setbacks, the Royal Challengers are carefully managing his workload through the rotation policy. Jacob Duffy has emerged as Hazlewood's first-choice replacement, leading the pace attack with Bhuvneshwar Kumar in his absence.
Having said that, Thushara's legal U-turn further diminishes his chances of returning to the RCB IPL 2026 squad. As he has withdrawn the case, the SLC won't issue him an NOC anyway for the remaining matches of the competition.
His unavailability leaves a significant void in the Royal Challengers' setup, as he could've been their go-to bowler across all three phases. As his comeback is highly unlikely, Jacob Duffy will continue to serve as Hazlewood's alternative when the RCB management decides to rest the Australian fast bowler.
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