The Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has announced that players seeking to participate in this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) must first pass mandatory fitness tests.
According to SLC, clearance to take part in the IPL will only be granted after players successfully meet the required fitness standards.
Currently, 54 centrally contracted Sri Lankan players are undergoing fitness evaluations. Out of these, seven players have applied for permission to participate in the IPL. However, only three players—Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka, and Kamindu Mendis—had successfully passed the fitness tests as of yesterday (20). These three players have been officially granted permission to compete in the IPL, SLC confirmed in a media release.
The fitness testing programme, conducted over a two-month period, is being carried out under the supervision of the Ministry of Sports, with support from SLC’s coaching staff. Players who pass the initial assessment must also undergo a second round of testing after two months, making continued fitness compliance a strict requirement.
An SLC official, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted ongoing concerns regarding player fitness.
“We have seen situations where only three or four players were fully fit during major tournaments like the World Cup. Others managed to secure places in the team despite not meeting proper fitness standards,” the official said.
The official further stressed the need for stricter enforcement, noting that players who compete in lucrative leagues without maintaining fitness often return with injuries, ultimately affecting national team performance.
During the IPL window, Sri Lanka is not scheduled to play any major international series. The next potential assignment is a proposed limited-overs series against India national cricket team, although this series is yet to be officially confirmed. Earlier statements indicated that the series could be organized as part of relief efforts following cyclone-related damages.
SLC has also reiterated that only players who meet fitness benchmarks will be eligible to participate in ongoing domestic tournaments, in addition to receiving clearance for international leagues such as the IPL.
Meanwhile, key players including Wanindu Hasaranga, Eshan Malinga, and Matheesha Pathirana have not yet undergone fitness testing as they are currently recovering from injuries. They will be assessed once fully fit, and their IPL participation will depend on the results of those evaluations.
English (United States) ·