Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has officially announced its national player central contracts for the highly anticipated 2026-27 campaign. The apex body has awarded contracts to a comprehensive pool of 46 cricketers, striking a calculated balance between seasoned international icons and rising domestic talents. Covering the active cycle from April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, this roster reflects the board’s strategic roadmap across all formats as Sri Lanka aim to re-establish itself as a dominant force in world cricket.
Sri Lanka Cricket reveals new central contracts for 2026-27 season
In an official media release, SLC confirmed that the selected 46 players have been structured under distinct categories, namely A1, A2, B1, B2, and C1 grades. According to the board, these tiers were evaluated against stringent matrices including past international performance, consistency, modern fitness standards, future potential, and tactical requirements for upcoming tournament cycles. However, in keeping with recent administrative policy, SLC chose not to publicize the individual gradings of the players, leaving fans and analysts to speculate on who clinched the coveted top-tier slots.
A major highlight of this cycle is the injection of fresh blood into the national setup. Seven players have earned a central contract for the first time. The new inductees include Kamil Mishara, Lasith Croospulle, Vijayakanth Viyaskanth, Isitha Wijesundera, Wanuja Sahan, Dilum Sudeera, and Tharindu Rathnayake.
Welcoming the fresh talent, SLC expressed its vision for the future:
“The awarding of these contracts reflects SLC’s continued commitment to rewarding performance, nurturing emerging talent, and maintaining a strong pool of players capable of representing Sri Lanka across international formats of the game.”
The full list retains heavyweight anchors like Test veteran Dinesh Chandimal, spin maestro Wanindu Hasaranga, and explosive weapons such as Kusal Mendis, Pathum Nissanka, Charith Asalanka, and speedster Matheesha Pathirana.
Nuwan Thushara earns central contract despite IPL legal dispute with SLC
The most dramatic narrative of this announcement centers around slinky-armed fast bowler Nuwan Thushara. His inclusion marks a surprising turnaround after a highly publicized legal standoff with the board just two months prior. In April 2026, Thushara dragged SLC to the Colombo District Court after being denied a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to represent Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The board had originally withheld the clearance on the grounds that Thushara failed to meet the required benchmarks in a time-bound 2-kilometer fitness sprint test. Thushara countered the decision, arguing that he had already communicated his intent to reject a central contract and step away from international cricket to pursue franchise opportunities. He claimed that as an uncontracted player, he should not be subject to mandatory national fitness assessments for external leagues.
However, with the IPL season advancing, Thushara formally withdrew his lawsuit and extended an official apology to the board. Following a shake-up in the board’s administrative framework, Thushara communicated his availability for national duties to SLC’s Transformation Committee, which accepted his request. His inclusion in the 2026-27 central contracts confirms that both parties have completely mended fences, effectively putting his international retirement plans on ice and securing a vital bowling weapon for Sri Lanka’s upcoming calendar.
List of Sri Lanka central contracted players for 2026-27 season
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, and Tharindu Ratnayake
