IPL 2026: Richard Gleeson joins RCB camp as injury replacement for Nuwan Thushara

Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have signed England fast bowler Richard Gleeson as an injury replacement for Nuwan Thushara for the remainder of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. 

Gleeson has been signed by the Bengaluru-based franchise for INR 1.6 crore after Thushara was denied a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) once he failed the mandatory fitness test ahead of the 2026 IPL season. 

It is worth mentioning that Gleeson has had experience playing in the IPL before. He made his tournament debut in 2024, playing twice for the Chennai Super Kings. He was then signed by the Mumbai Indians for the latter stages of the 2025 season, where he joined the five-time champions alongside compatriot Jonny Bairstow. He played once for MI, taking one wicket. 

Gleeson, however, had a good time in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League, representing Islamabad United. The right-arm pacer went on to take 12 wickets from nine matches at an economy rate of just 7.13. This included an outstanding spell against the Hyderabad Kingsmen, where he took 3 for 9 to dismantle the opposition to just 80 runs in the first innings. 

RCB, meanwhile, usually play one overseas fast bowler in the playing XI, with the position usually going to Josh Hazlewood. However, against the Kolkata Knight Riders in their previous game, the Royal Challengers played both Hazlewood and Jacob Duffy in XI. If they wish to continue with that combination for their remaining matches this season, Rajat Patidar’s side would need a backup overseas bowler, which is where Gleeson comes into the frame. 

The 38-year-old is an experienced T20 player, having first made his debut for Northamptonshire back in 2016. Gleeson has also represented England six times in the shortest format of the game, taking nine wickets. He last represented the Three Lions in 2022 during their T20I series against Pakistan before the T20 World Cup that year, which Jos Buttler’s side went on to win.