Sri Lanka Clears Ishan Malinga for IPL 2026, Hasaranga & Pathirana Await Approval

While Sri Lanka Cricket has given permission to Ishan Malinga to play in IPL 2026, there has been no confirmation from the Sri Lanka Cricket board about the other three players: Nuwan Thushara, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Mathisha Pathirana. There has been no confirmation from the Sri Lanka Cricket board about the three players' participation in the tournament, which begins on March 28. There are reports that Hasaranga and Pathirana did not turn up for fitness tests.

A Cricbuzz report, quoting a Sunrisers team official, states that 25-year-old right-arm fast bowler Ishan Malinga is expected to join the team on Tuesday after receiving approval from the board. Malinga will arrive in Hyderabad with fellow Sri Lankan player Kamindu Mendis. Mendis has already received approval from the Sri Lankan board.

Reports had previously stated that KKR's ₹18 crore player Pathirana would miss some matches of the season. The franchise has decided to wait for his full recovery rather than replace him. Meanwhile, LSG has not yet received any information regarding its ₹2 crore player Hasaranga.

There is also no clarity regarding Royal Challengers Bangalore fast bowler Thushara. Sri Lanka Cricket recently issued a statement stating that whether Nuwan Thushara will receive a NOC to play in the IPL will depend on the results of his physical performance test. Meanwhile, other Sri Lankan players playing in the IPL, Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka, and Dasun Shanaka, have been cleared to play.

Meanwhile, Sunrisers Hyderabad officials have confirmed that regular captain Pat Cummins will arrive in Bengaluru on Tuesday. It is expected that the rest of the team will also be in the city by then. SRH will face the hosts and defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL opener at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 28. The franchise has also confirmed that stand-in captain Ishan Kishan will attend the captains' meeting in Mumbai on March 25.