RCB's title defence takes a hit before start of IPL 2026 as star pacer expected to miss entire season

The injury crisis adds to RCB’s pre-season worries as they look to navigate the opening phase without two of their key fast-bowling options.

Updated on: Mar 26, 2026, 21:28:53 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been dealt a major setback ahead of the new IPL season as pacer Nuwan Thushara is set to miss the entire tournament. The franchise, already unsure about Josh Hazlewood’s participation, now faces another injury blow with Thushara joining the list of players sidelined. The Sri Lankan pacer was bought by RCB for INR 1.6 crore last season. While Hazlewood is expected to recover in time for the second phase of the league, Thushara has not received fitness clearance from Sri Lanka Cricket, ruling him out for now. This adds to RCB’s pre-season worries as they look to navigate the opening phase without two of their key fast-bowling options.

RCB will enter IPL 2026 as the defending champions. (REUTERS)

According to a report on Sri Lanka's media outlet NewsWire, Thushara has been refused an NOC by Sri Lanka Cricket, even though he is not carrying any injury at present. The board remains concerned about his overall fitness levels and whether he can consistently bowl throughout matches, leading to a decision to withhold clearance for the upcoming IPL season.

In a statement last week, Sri Lanka Cricket clarified that any player aiming to feature in IPL 2026 must clear its compulsory Physical Performance Test. The board has already granted No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to Dushmantha Chameera, Pathum Nissanka, and Kamindu Mendis after they successfully met the fitness requirements. This step ensures that only players who meet the board’s fitness standards are allowed to take part in the tournament, highlighting SLC’s focus on not taking players' fitness for franchise cricket.

Also Read - IPL 2026 second phase schedule announced by BCCI, Sunrisers Hyderabad to host Rajasthan Royals on April 13

Josh Hazlewood expected to miss initial phase

RCB are expected to miss Hazlewood's services too in the initial phase. According to a report in cricket.com.au, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Hazlewood will miss at least the start of IPL while Nathan Ellis is set to be ruled out of the tournament completely.

The report said Cricket Australia (CA) is taking a cautious approach with their pacers ahead of a busy schedule from August that includes 21 Test matches in a 12-month period.

Meanwhile, the IPL returns this Saturday, riding the high of India’s recent T20 World Cup win but still shadowed by last season’s tragedy, when 11 fans lost their lives in a stampede during celebrations for Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s maiden title. The league kicks off with defending champions RCB taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, the very venue where joy turned to sorrow following Bengaluru’s historic victory in June last year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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