SLC to hold fitness tests next week before issuing NOC

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) will hold fitness tests for some of its players early next week in Colombo before issuing No Objection Certificates for their participation in the upcoming Indian Premier League season.

Apart from Kolkata Knight Riders' Matheesha Pathirana, who has been in the news due to injury, Wanindu Hasaranga (Lucknow Super Giants), Eshan Malinga (Sunrisers Hyderabad), and Nuwan Thushara (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) are among those expected to undergo the tests.

"There are fitness tests scheduled by SLC on Monday and Tuesday and we will know about their players only after that," said officials of multiple IPL franchises.

Dushmantha Chameera and Pathum Nissanka (both Delhi Capitals), along with Kamindu Mendis (Sunrisers Hyderabad), are among the other Sri Lankan players who will feature in the season starting March 28. Seven Sri Lankans, in total, are drafted for the season.

Pathirana, Hasaranga, Malinga, and Thushara missed the recently-concluded T20 World Cup, either fully or in part, due to various injuries. Hasaranga has been sidelined by a left hamstring tear since the opening game against Ireland on February 8. Pathirana played three games of the World Cup before being pulled out.

Respective franchises are confident that SLC will clear the players. Cricbuzz has reached out to the Sri Lanka board for updates on the NOC.

Captains and Coaches Meeting on March 25

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has confirmed the annual captains and coaches meeting will be held in Mumbai on March 25, ahead of the IPL season. The meeting will be held between 12 noon and 6 pm.

The BCCI had proposed advancing the meeting by a day, but franchises were not prepared. The board eventually settled on March 25.

The meeting is significant as the BCCI discusses proposed changes to playing conditions and introduces new rules for the season. Last year, the board apprised teams of changes to over-rate penalties, the expansion of DRS, and the introduction of a mandatory ball change.

It is understood there are no major changes to playing conditions for the upcoming season, although there may be new guidelines for teams on jerseys, equipment, and promotional activities.