Virat Kohli Nuwan Thushara for RCB Mohsin Naqvi for PSL. Image Credits: AFP/AP/RCB
In a hot-serving development, the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), have finally signed a replacement for Sri Lankan quick Nuwan Thushara ahead of the IPL 2026 playoffs.
Nuwan Thushara played a good role in last season as RCB lifted their maiden title. Although he could only play a single match, he remained a part of their squad.
However, after multiple failed attempts of attaining NOC from Sri Lanka Cricket, the 31-year-old lost his hope to join the RCB IPL 2026 squad after failing to meet mandatory fitness standards set by SLC.
Richard Gleeson inked as Thushara's replacement at RCB
As Nuwan Thushara has ruled out, the defending champions have finally signed his replacement in England's left-arm seamer Richard Gleeson, who has played six T20Is since debuting in 2022.
Interestingly, the left-arm quick made his international debut against India, and returned with wickets of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant on debut.
Notably, Gleeson has extensive experience playing in the IPL, having previously played for the Mumbai Indians and the Chennai Super Kings. He has played three matches in the lucrative league, two games for CSK and one in MI's blue and gold.
"Richard Gleeson will join RCB for a fee of INR 1.6 crore," the IPL stated in a press release.
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Richard Gleeson shone in PSL 2026
The 38-year-old Richard Gleeson has been a T20 agent, featuring in different leagues across the globe. His recent assignment was in the sub-continent as he represented Islamabad United in the PSL 2026.
As the United played the knockouts, Gleeson was one of their best bowlers in the season, returning with 12 wickets in nine innings.
Apart from his PSL stint with Islamabad, the English left-arm quick has served in the SA20, BBL, BPL, ILT20 and T20 Blast. He has played 145 T20 matches, taking 170 wickets at an economy rate of 8.18.
What would be Richard Gleeson's role at RCB?
With two more league games, RCB have almost sealed a spot in the playoffs. The main reason for the success of the defending champions this season has been their bowling department, especially the faster bowlers.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar, with the Purple Cap on his head, is breathing fire in IPL 2026, and the likes of Josh Hazlewood and Rasikh Salam are complementing him nicely. Moreover, whenever Jacob Duffy has gotten his chance, the Kiwi has also done well.
Having said that, with a truckload of options in fast bowling, Richard Gleeson may not get a chance, but RCB will always have the luxury to unleash him in the IPL 2026 playoffs.
The Rajat Patidar-led RCB will take on the Punjab Kings in their next fixture on Sunday at Dharamsala. A victory in that fixture will confirm their berth in the playoffs.
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