Sri Lanka’s star wicketkeeper batsman Niroshan Dickwella is in a lot of trouble. Dickwella has been suspended after allegations of anti-doping violations during the recent Lanka Premier League (LPL). Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced this decision with immediate effect. The alleged incident took place during the recently concluded LPL, where Dickwella captained Galle Marvels.
Sri Lanka Cricket gave this statement
Sri Lanka Cricket’s statement said, ‘The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in effect until further notice. This test was conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) during the Lanka Premier League 2024, which is part of Sri Lanka Cricket’s ongoing commitment to maintain the integrity of the game.’
According to this, ‘The objective of this initiative, taken in collaboration with the Sports Ministry and in accordance with the guidelines of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), is to ensure that cricket remains free from the influence of banned substances.’ This left-handed player had earlier also been summoned by Sri Lanka Cricket for his poor disciplinary record.
Dickwella has been in trouble before too
Dickwella has faced criticism throughout his career for his controversial off-field behaviour. In the year 2021, he, Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilak were suspended for violating the bio-bubble protocol. Dickwella last played for Sri Lanka in March last year. Although he was selected in the team for the T20 series against Bangladesh earlier this year, he did not play any match.
31 year old Niroshan Dickwella has played 54 Tests, 55 ODIs and 28 T20 matches for Sri Lanka. Dickwella has scored 2,757 runs in Tests, 1,604 runs in ODIs and 480 runs in T20 Internationals. The wicketkeeper batsman last represented Sri Lanka in a Test match against New Zealand in March 2023.