Nuwan Thushara among 46 men’s cricketers to be awarded SLC contracts

A New Beginning for National Cricketers

The landscape of Sri Lankan cricket has seen a notable shift as the national board finalized its roster for the upcoming season. Among the most discussed updates is the news that Nuwan Thushara among 46 men’s cricketers to be awarded SLC contracts, a move that signals a fresh start for the talented medium-pacer. His inclusion in the list follows his decision to withdraw the legal case he had previously filed against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in April.

Resolving Tensions and Moving Forward

The relationship between Thushara and the board had previously been strained, centered around disagreements regarding fitness test requirements for obtaining No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for overseas franchise leagues. However, with the ousting of the board members involved in the dispute by the Sri Lankan government, the environment has shifted. Thushara opted to withdraw his litigation and communicated his availability for national selection to the new administration, a gesture that was welcomed by the Transformation Committee.

New Faces and Emerging Talent

The list of 46 contracted players reflects a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent. The inclusion of several players for the first time highlights the board’s commitment to nurturing new prospects. Among those earning their maiden contracts are Jaffna legspinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, the ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Ratnayake, and batters Kamil Mishara and Lasith Croospulle. Additionally, allrounders Isitha Wijesundara, Wanuja Sahan, and Dilum Sudeera have been rewarded for their performances.

Conversely, the absence of some notable names has drawn attention, with batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa notably missing from the list despite his participation in domestic cricket earlier this year.

Categorization and Duration

While the board has confirmed that the 46 players have been organized into six distinct grading categories, specific placement details remain undisclosed. The contracts are set to span from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, providing a clear roadmap for the players’ commitments over the next year. The roster serves as a comprehensive representation of Sri Lanka’s current depth, featuring Test stalwarts like Dinesh Chandimal and Kasun Rajitha alongside limited-overs specialists such as Binura Fernando.

Full List of Contracted Players

The complete list of the 46 cricketers awarded contracts is as follows:

• Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Dinesh Chandimal, Wanindu Hasaranga, Pathum Nissanka
• Charith Asalanka, Kamindu Mendis, Dushmantha Chameera, Asitha Fernando, Dasun Shanaka
• Maheesh Theekshana, Janith Liyanage, Dunith Wellalage, Niroshan Dickwella, Jeffrey Vandersay
• Prabath Jayasuriya, Vishwa Fernando, Matheesha Pathirana, Dilshan Madushanka, Pavan Rathnayake
• Eshan Malinga, Milan Rathnayake, Lahiru Kumara, Kasun Rajitha, Avishka Fernando
• Sadeera Samarawickrama, Ramesh Mendis, Kamil Mishara, Binura Fernando, Nuwan Thushara
• Sonal Dinusha, Sahan Arachchige, Pramod Madushan, Lasith Croospulle, Lahiru Udara
• Nuwanidu Fernando, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Isitha Wijesundara, Nishan Madushka, Akila Dananjaya
• Chamika Karunaratne, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Mohammed Shiraz, Wanuja Sahan, Dilum Sudeera, Tharindu Rathnayake

This substantial roster indicates a strategic focus on depth and rotation, ensuring that the national side remains competitive across all three formats of the game in the coming year.