Sri Lankan wicket-keeper batter, Niroshan Dickwella, has been suspended from playing all forms of cricket for an indefinite period after he failed to comply with World Anti-Doping guidelines, failing a doping test. The news was confirmed by Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) and further investigation will take place while the Islander batter will serve his time out of cricket. As stated by SLC, the test was conducted during the recently concluded season of the Lankan Premier League (LPL).
Reportedly, Dickwella has been found to have used cocaine during the tournament in which he captained the runner-up team, Galle Marvels who lost to Jaffna Kings by nine wickets in the final. SLC press release stated that these doping tests are conducted randomly to ensure no one tweaks the results.
“The suspension is effective immediately and will remain in place until further notice,” read an SLC media release.
“The test, which was conducted by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA) during the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2024, is part of SLC’s ongoing commitment to maintaining the integrity of the sport. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines, is aimed at ensuring that cricket remains free from the influence of prohibited substances.”
The release further stated,
“SLC, together with the Ministry of Sports and SLADA, conducts these tests during domestic tournaments randomly to safeguard the sport against anti-doping violations.”
Dickwella last played an international fixture for the Sri Lankan team back in March 2023 in the Christchurch Test against New Zealand. The dip in his form and disciplinary issues was what forced the selector to sideline him from the team and select Nishan Madhuska in his place. His average was a dismal 22-ish when he was dropped from the team.
The 31-year-old was selected in the squad for the Bangladesh tour earlier this year, however, he was not fielded during any game.
The Southpaw has often found himself in such controversies previously as well. In 2021, Niroshan Dickwella along with Danushka Gunathilaka and Kusal Mendis was banished from the team during the second Test match of the English tour after the three players breached COVID-19 protocols. According to SLC, the trio breached the bio-bubble by going to a no-go area for the players and jeopardizing the tour for the team. The then SLC vice-president Mohan de Silva confirmed that all three of them were flown back to Sri Lanka immediately.
“The players have been suspended pending a full inquiry, but have confessed to having gone out. They are being recalled from the tour with immediate effect.”
For now, only further investigation can tell to what level this offense will be penalized. There is no denying that such incidents can finish a sportsperson’s career in the blink of an eye. Keeping in view the fact that his performances don’t make a good case for him either, one can expect the Sri Lankan Board to be harsh on him for the violation. Finally, this news can most probably make things difficult for the rest of his team mates as well.
