IPL 2026: Eshan Malinga cleared by SLC; Hasaranga, Pathirana still await Nod

Colombo, March 22 — Sunrisers Hyderabad’s preparations for IPL 2026 received a timely boost on Saturday after Sri Lanka Cricket formally issued a No Objection Certificate to 25-year-old quick Eshan Malinga, allowing him to board the March 24 charter to Hyderabad and link up with a squad that will open its campaign against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 28.

Malinga, a right-arm pacer yet to make his IPL debut, had been in limbo while SLC completed mandatory fitness protocols introduced this season. With the paperwork now complete, he will train alongside compatriot Kamindu Mendis, whose own clearance arrived earlier in the week.

The same cannot be said for two of Sri Lanka’s most sought-after white-ball specialists. Wanindu Hasaranga, signed by Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 2 crore, and Matheesha Pathirana, Kolkata Knight Riders’ Rs 18-crore speedster, both missed the board’s compulsory physical-performance assessment while completing injury rehabilitation. Neither franchise has received an updated timeline from SLC, raising the prospect that the pair could be unavailable for at least the early phase of the tournament.

KKR, according to people familiar with the matter, are prepared to wait for Pathirana’s recovery rather than trigger a replacement clause, banking on his ability to swing matches once passed fit. Lucknow, meanwhile, continue to seek clarity on Hasaranga’s status, aware that his leg-spin and lower-order hitting were central to their auction strategy.

Uncertainty also clouds Nuwan Thushara’s participation. The sling-armed pacer, picked up by RCB, must still satisfy SLC’s medical staff before an NOC can be granted; no date for his final fitness test has been confirmed.

The board’s stricter clearance policy has already claimed several casualties, yet a handful of Sri Lankan stars have successfully negotiated the process. Delhi Capitals will have the services of Dushmantha Chameera and opener Pathum Nissanka, while Dasun Shanaka will bolster Rajasthan Royals’ middle order after passing the same battery of assessments.

With less than a week until the season opener, franchises are juggling travel plans, quarantine windows and squad balance as they await definitive word from Colombo on the remaining injury-hit contingent. For now, Malinga’s green light offers SRH a degree of comfort; for Lucknow and Kolkata, the wait continues.