SLC clears Eshan Malinga for IPL 2026; Hasaranga, Thushara and Pathirana wait

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has cleared Eshan Malinga to take part in the IPL, but there is no immediate update on the other three - Nuwan Thushara, Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana - who are still awaiting clearance from the Sri Lankan board to participate in the league, starting March 28.

Malinga (25), a right-arm pacer, will report to the Sunrisers team on Tuesday (March 24), a franchise official confirmed to Cricbuzz. Malinga will arrive in Hyderabad along with fellow Sri Lankan Kamindu Mendis, a 27-year-old left-handed batter, who has already been granted an NOC.

It is understood that Hasaranga (LSG) and Pathirana (KKR) have not had a chance to attend the fitness tests on Monday which means their arrival in India for the IPL 2026 will be delayed. Cricbuzz had earlier reported that Pathirana, an INR 18 crore signing by KKR, is set to miss part of the season, with the franchise willing to wait for his full recovery rather than seek a replacement. LSG have not received any information on Hasaranga, their INR 2 crore recruit.

There is no immediate information on Thushara, the 31-year-old pacer for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The SLC recently put out a statement saying, "Nuwan Thushara's eligibility for a No Objection Certificate to participate in the IPL will be subject to the outcome of his physical performance test." His NOC status is not clear as of Monday (March 23). But other Sri Lankans in the IPL, Dushmantha Chameera and Pathun Nissanka (both DC) along with recent RR recruit Dashun Shanaka, have been cleared.

Cummins to reach Bengaluru on March 24; Kishan to attend captains' meet

Meanwhile, officials of Sunrisers have revealed that regular captain Pat Cummins will arrive in Bengaluru on Tuesday (March 24), by when the rest of the squad is expected to have reached the city. SRH will face home team and defending champions Royal Challengers in the IPL opener at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28.

The franchise has also confirmed that Ishan Kishan, the stand-in skipper, will attend the captains' meeting in Mumbai on March 25. Captains of all 10 teams are scheduled for a six-hour engagement with the IPL and broadcasters, beginning with a photo-op at 12 noon and culminating in a meeting with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials from 4:30 pm to 6 pm.