Sanjiv Goenka of LSG in IPL and Wanindu Hasaranga for Sri Lanka. Image Credits: AFP
Wanindu Hasaranga was signed by Lucknow Super Giants for ₹2 crore ahead of the IPL 2026, but his participation in the league was in question due to injury concerns. It is important to note that the spinner suffered an injury and was ruled out of a major portion of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Before joining the IPL 2026, the star bowler had to give a proper fitness test and get his NoC from the Sri Lanka Cricket in a bid to join the LSG.
Wanindu Hasaranga skips fitness Test
However, in a significant development, Wanindu Hasaranga has missed the mandatory fitness programme without providing any explanation. As a result, the star bowler is facing strong criticism from Sri Lanka Cricket.
The training camp was organised by SLC to build endurance, strength, and speed among all national players, especially after several cricketers missed the recent T20 World Cup due to injuries.
Instead of joining the physical conditioning sessions, Wanindu Hasaranga reportedly focused only on skill work.
This has angered the selectors, who expected all players, especially those pushing for international and franchise duties, to follow directives strictly (as reported by The Sunday Times).
Will SLC provide NOC to Wanindu Hasaranga for IPL 2026?
Chief selector Pramodya Wickremasinghe has demanded an official inquiry from the High Performance Centre to find out why the spinner ignored the fitness regime.
“We have asked the High Performance Centre to conduct an inquiry against Hasaranga as to how he skipped the fitness programme and attended skill training,” said chief selector Pramodya Wickremasinghe.
Selectors made it clear that attendance and performance in the fitness programme are essential for consideration for national duty or for leagues such as IPL.
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"We have made it very clear that those requiring NOCs for foreign leagues must meet the minimum physical fitness standards, and we will not make exceptions for anyone. We do this for the greater good of the game, and when the new coach joins the team, he will have a good squad of players to begin training,” Wickremasinghe explained.
It is worth noting that the SLC has taken a tough stance against star spinner Wanindu Hasaranga, putting his entire IPL 2026 campaign in serious doubt due to fitness issues and a missed training programme.
Will Wanindu Hasaranga join IPL 2026?
Under SLC rules, players must pass a series of physical performance tests to receive an NOC to participate in overseas leagues. These tests include a 2km time trial, strength assessments, and other fitness checks. A player must score a minimum of 17 points out of 29 across five tests to qualify for an NOC.
Hasaranga has not passed these tests, so the selectors have informed SLC CEO Ashley de Silva that they will not consider granting him an NOC until he joins the fitness camp and meets the required standards.
This means his participation in the IPL 2026 season, whether partially or fully, remains uncertain for LSG.
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