- Chameera, Nissanka, Mendis get green light for IPL
- PPT compulsory for international, franchise cricket
Three Sri Lanka cricketers, namely pace spearhead Dushmantha Chameera and batters Pathum Nissanka and Kamindu Mendis, have successfully come through their physical fitness tests, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reported.
This was after the trio were issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) by SLC, clearing their pathway to feature in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
SLC made this announcement through a media release on Friday (20). The physical fitness tests came into public discourse in the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s calamitous exit from the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup.
During the said event, most of Sri Lanka’s frontline players were sidelined due to a spate of injuries, raising concerns about the overall physical conditioning of the players.
This state of affairs prompted the game’s controlling body to tie up with the Ministry of Sports to address the shortcomings – the lack of physical conditioning of players, as well as to insist on the mandatory passing of the Physical Performance Test (PPT) – ahead of all forthcoming international assignments.
In its media release, SLC stated that it was conducting an eight-week specialised physical training programme for all nationally contracted players at present, with the initiative being aimed at enhancing players’ physical performance standards in preparation for both international and franchise assignments.
SLC categorically stated that only those who successfully met the required standards of the PPTs would henceforth be cleared to participate in the ongoing domestic tournament and also granted an NOC to play in the lucrative IPL 2026.
Chameera was retained by Delhi Capitals for this year’s 19th IPL edition from 28 March to 31 May, with the same team having also bought opening batter Nissanka. Mendis was retained by the Sunrisers Hyderabad during this year’s auction.
However, SLC maintained that Nuwan Thushara’s (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) eligibility for an NOC to compete in the IPL would be subject to the outcome of his PPT.
Meanwhile, Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, and Matheesha Pathirana’s requests for NOCs to take part in the IPL are still under consideration.
This is due to them being yet to undergo the PPT, as they are still undergoing rehabilitation to recover from injuries sustained during the recently concluded World Cup, which was co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.
The trio are, however, set to undertake the PPT upon completion of their recovery and rehabilitation programme, according to SLC.
Leg spinner Hasaranga (Lucknow Super Giants), and pacers Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad) and Pathirana (Kolkata Knight Riders) sustained hamstring injuries during the showpiece event with the co-host’s bowling attack being hamstrung in the process.
Adding insult to injury, top-order batter Kusal Mendis also picked up a niggle during the latter stages of the competition for Dasun Shanaka’s team, who were eliminated after the Super Eight phase.
The ongoing PPT being conducted by SLC in conjunction with the Sports Ministry is supervised by former Sri Lanka hurdler Ashok Jayasundera.
According to SLC sources, emphasis has been placed on improving the players’ strength, speed, and endurance with targeted conditioning exercises aimed at overcoming muscle injuries which have beset cricketers in the recent past.