Josh Hazlewood for RCB in IPL. Image Credits: AFP
The IPL 2026 campaign of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) franchise has been clouded by mounting uncertainty in their pace department. Multiple setbacks have already left their fast-bowling stocks alarmingly thin at a time when their title-defense is already underway.
Earlier this month, the RCB management confirmed that recovering fast bowler Josh Hazlewood will likely be missing the team’s initial games owing to his earlier injury. Moreover, uncapped Indian paceman Yash Dayal has been ruled out of the entire IPL 2026 season owing to personal reasons.
To make matters worse, the participation of Royal Challengers Bengaluru'S Sri Lanka import Nuwan Thushara is also doubtful after the speedster failed a fitness test organized by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
Nuwan Thushara fails two fitness tests, IPL 2026 uncertain
As reported by The Sunday Times, the IPL 2026 participation of Sri Lanka fast bowler Nuwan Thushara is in doubt after the speedster failed a mandatory fitness test for the second time this week. For the time being, he has been denied a no-objection certificate (NoC) by the SLC.
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It is worth noting that earlier this month, the SLC confirmed that as many as 46 Sri Lanka players will have to undergo mandatory fitness tests in Sri Lanka. With several of those players lined up to play IPL 2026, a NoC will only be granted to them upon clearing those assessments.
Nuwan Thushara, who was retained by the RCB franchise prior to IPL 2026 auction late last year, failed to achieve the pass score of 17 out of 29 points on offer in the SLC fitness test.
Can Nuwan Thushara join RCB at some point in IPL 2026?
All is not over for Nuwan Thushara, as the Sri Lanka fast bowler can still join the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise within the coming days or weeks. While he has failed to clear the fitness test in his two attempts so far, the speedster will be eligible to take another fitness test but only after a gap of four or five days.
By clearing the next fitness test, he will be entitled to an NoC by his board and can join the RCB squad in India after missing the initial stage of the IPL 2026 season.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru get off to a winning start
Despite struggling with its pace options, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru franchise got off to an emphatic start in the opening match of the IPL 2026 season on Friday, March 28. Taking on SRH at the M. Chinnasawamy Stadium in Bengaluru, the ‘Orange Army’ batted first and racked up 201-9 in 20 overs.
In response, the defending champions blazed past the SRH in just 15.4 overs with six wickets to spare. Legendary batter and former captain Virat Kohli belted 69* runs off 38 balls with five boundaries and five sixes to anchor the chase.
Devdutt Padikkal at number three bludgeoned 61 off just 26 deliveries to fuel up the innings after the early loss of Phil Salt. Captain Rajat Patidar blasted 31 off 12 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru notch up the opening points of the season.
With the impending arrival of Josh Hazlewood, and the likely late inclusion of Nuwan Thushara, the RCB camp will be hopeful of bolstering their pace reserves and adding much-needed depth to their bowling attack as the season progresses.
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