Nuwan Thushara among 46 men’s cricketers to be awarded SLC contracts
A Fresh Start for Sri Lankan Cricket
The landscape of Sri Lankan cricket has seen a notable shift as the national board recently finalized its list of centrally contracted players for the upcoming season. Among the most discussed inclusions is the medium pacer Nuwan Thushara, who is officially among 46 men’s cricketers to be awarded SLC contracts. This decision comes as a result of a constructive resolution between the player and the administration, signaling a return to focus on the game.
The Resolution of a Legal Standoff
The inclusion of Thushara follows his decision to withdraw a legal case he had filed against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) back in April. The friction stemmed from the board’s mandate that a fitness test be passed before granting a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for franchise cricket participation. Thushara had contested this requirement; however, with the recent sweeping changes in the SLC administration—where previous board members were removed by the Sri Lankan government—the path was cleared for reconciliation. The bowler reached out to the new leadership, confirming his availability for national selection, a gesture that the Transformation Committee has accepted with open arms.
A Comprehensive List of Talent
Beyond the headline-grabbing return of Thushara, the list of 46 players reflects a wide net cast by the selectors. The roster includes a blend of seasoned veterans and promising young talent. New faces receiving their first-ever national contracts include the Jaffna leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, the versatile ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Ratnayake, and batters Kamil Mishara and Lasith Croospulle. Additionally, all-rounders Isitha Wijesundara, Wanuja Sahan, and Dilum Sudeera have earned their places in the squad.
Defining the Contractual Landscape
While the list is extensive, there were notable absences, such as Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who did not secure a contract despite having participated in domestic cricket earlier this year. The roster remains balanced, featuring Test stalwarts like Dinesh Chandimal and Kasun Rajitha, alongside limited-overs specialists such as Binura Fernando. The board has confirmed that these 46 players are divided into six distinct categories, though the specific grading of each individual remains undisclosed to the public. These contracts are scheduled to run for a full year, starting from April 1, 2026, and concluding on March 31, 2027.
The Full List of Contracted Players
The complete group of players signed to these contracts represents the core of Sri Lankan cricket’s future strategy. The full roster consists of: 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, and Tharindu Rathnayake.
As the cricket board moves forward with this structure, the focus now shifts to how these players will perform in the coming months. With the internal disputes largely addressed, the stability of these contracts provides a foundation for the team to prepare for upcoming international challenges and continue their development under the new administrative framework.
