The Sri Lanka National Cricket Team pacer Nuwan Thushara has been ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, in a massive blow for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
To deal with his absence, the Indian Premier League 2025 champions, RCB, have roped in English cricketer Richard Gleeson for the rest of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have managed to win eight matches this season and are currently at the top of the IPL 2026 points table. The defending champions are still in the hunt for a second IPL title.
Also Read: Big blow! Rachin Ravindra leaves KKR midway through IPL 2026
Richard Gleeson replaces Nuwan Thushara at RCB for IPL 2026
Nuwan Thushara has been ruled out of IPL 2026 due to injuries, as per the official IPL statement. Also, Gleeson has joined RCB for INR 1.6 crore.
Richard Gleeson has played two seasons formerly for the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians. They have played two consecutive seasons in the IPL and has picked 2 wickets.
Richard Gleeson might not be used any further this season, since the RCB bowling deck looks secured with several players already excelling in their role. Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been the ace cards in the Challengers den.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is leading the purple cap leaderboard
Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been extraordinary this season. He has played every match for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and has emerged as the highest wicket-taker this season. Having picked 22 wickets he is the highest wicket-taker after 12 matches.
He has the purple cap on his head and his economy is very low. Bhuvi’s ability to deliver in the death overs is extraordinary as he can nail the yorkers. Bhuvi’s variety makes him one of the most extraordinary talents in the shortest format of the game.
He has been backed well by Josh Hazlewood the veteran pacer from Australia and Rasik Salam Dar who has emerged as one of the best in the middle overs. The overseas pacer Jacob Duffy has struggled in the season especially after his return in the last game.
Suyash Sharma and Krunal Pandya have played as the lead spinners in the season and has been backing the team with wickets.
Virat Kohli the legendary Indian batter has returned to the top of the Orange Cap list and has amassed 484 runs after having played 12 matches this season.
While Kohli has occasionally been used as an impact player as well, he has scored a century in this season as well. With this season Kohli has now amassed over 400+ runs across 12 seasons in his IPL career, the most by an cricketer.
Kohli currently only finds Heinrich Klaasen and Sai Sudharsan the two batters with 500+ runs in the season above him in the race for the Orange Cap. He will get more matches this season with the defending champions almost confirming a spot in the IPL 2026 playoffs.
Khaleel Ahmed’s new replacement announced
Kuldip Yadav will join CSK for INR 30 lakh,. A medium pacer, Kuldip, made his IPL debut for Rajasthan Royals in 2021 and has featured in three games for the franchise.
The Super Kings have scrutinized the selection of the player and then he has been picked in the squad. CSK are also eyeing a playoff spot this season after having gained some momentum.