Nuwan Thushara among 46 men’s cricketers to be awarded SLC contracts
A New Chapter for Sri Lankan Cricket
The landscape of Sri Lankan cricket has seen a notable shift as the national board unveils its latest roster of centrally contracted players. Among the most significant headlines 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 and the national governing body.
Reconciliation and Returning to the Fold
Thushara’s inclusion in the list follows his decision to withdraw a legal case he had initiated against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) earlier this April. The dispute originally stemmed from a disagreement over fitness test requirements, which had been set as a condition for receiving No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) to participate in overseas franchise leagues. The situation, which previously saw the bowler at loggerheads with the administration, has been effectively resolved following the mass departure of the former board members.
With the appointment of the new Transformation Committee, Thushara proactively reached out to the updated administration to signal his availability and eligibility for national selection. The committee has accepted his overtures, paving the way for his return to the national fold under the latest contract cycle.
Emerging Talent and Fresh Faces
While the return of Thushara is a major talking point, the list of 46 players also highlights a commitment to nurturing emerging talent. The selection includes several exciting prospects earning their first national contracts. Among these are Jaffna’s standout leg-spinner Vijayakanth Viyaskanth and the versatile ambidextrous spinner Tharindu Ratnayake. The batting ranks are bolstered by the inclusion of Kamil Mishara and Lasith Croospulle, while the all-rounder department gains depth with the addition of Isitha Wijesundara, Wanuja Sahan, and Dilum Sudeera.
Conversely, some notable exclusions have sparked discussion among fans. Most prominently, batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has not been awarded a contract despite his participation in the domestic cricket circuit earlier this year.
Structural Overview of the Contracts
The board has confirmed that the contracts are effective from April 1, 2026, and will run through March 31, 2027. While SLC has categorized the 46 players into six distinct grading tiers, the specific placement of individual players within these grades remains confidential. The pool represents a broad spectrum of the country’s cricketing talent, ranging from seasoned Test specialists like Dinesh Chandimal and Kasun Rajitha to white-ball experts like Binura Fernando.
Full List of Contracted Players
The complete list of the 46 men’s cricketers awarded national 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 aims to provide stability and professional support to a wide range of athletes, ensuring that Sri Lanka remains competitive across all formats of the game in the coming year.
Aarav Malhotra is a cricket features writer from Pune specializing in player biographies, IPL season stories, and emerging cricket talents. His content focuses on storytelling-driven sports journalism optimized for modern cricket audiences and search platforms.
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