Sri Lanka players told to clear fitness test to get NOCs for IPL 2026

Summary: Sri Lanka Cricket is making a strict new rule for its players. If they want to play in the big, money-making Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2026, they have to pass a tough fitness test first. This test includes a grueling 2-kilometer sprint! Some players, like Dushmantha Chameera and Kamindu Mendis, already passed and are good to go. But others, like Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga, are still recovering from injuries they got around the T20 World Cup. They have to finish their rehab and pass the physical test before they get their permission slip (called an NOC) to play in India. The cricket board is using an 8-week training boot camp to make sure everyone is in top shape for future games.

For more details, see rssapp-fitness at africa.espn.com/cricket/story/_/id/48266393/ipl-2026-slc-tells-sri-lanka-players-clear-fitness-test-get-noc (opens in new tab)