Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batter cleared to play all formats after three-year ban for prohibited substance

Sri Lanka wicket-keeper batter Niroshan Dickwella has reportedly been cleared to play all formats after just three months into his three-year ban imposed by the Sri Lanka Anti-Doping Agency (SLADA). The 31-year-old tested positive for a banned substance following random testing during the 2024 Lanka Premier League (LPL).

Dickwella proceeded to appeal against the suspension, and went on to make his case to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) by proving that the substance in question was not taken while he was involved in a competition. His legal team also proved that the substance did not enhance his sporting ability by any means.

"An appeal panel, led by retired judge Upali Samaraweera and including members Prof. Asela Mendis and Gimhana Jagodaarachchi, determined that the substance Dickwella consumed was unrelated to his sporting performance and was taken out-of-competition," a report by Daily Mirror Lanka read.

The wicket-keeper batter has a questionable track record with numerous Code of Conduct breaches reported by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on a recurring basis.

He was also suspended by the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for one year after he broke quarantine regulations along with Kusal Mendis and Danushka Gunathilaka during the tour of England in 2021. However, his suspension was lifted midway, and he was eligible to play again from January 2022 onwards.

Niroshan Dickwella's last competitive appearance came in the LPL 2024 final

The wicket-keeper has represented Sri Lanka across all formats, but has not been in the scheme of things for a while now. His last international appearance came during the tour of New Zealand in early 2023. He played the first Test in Christchurch, but was dropped for Nishan Madushka after scoring just 7 runs.

He was included in the squad for the T20I series against Bangladesh in March 2024, but remained on the bench as Kusal Mendis kept wickets in all matches.

Dickwella was last seen leading the Galle Marvels in the 2024 Lanka Premier League (LPL). He guided the side into the finals, but scored only five runs, and could not end up with the title as Jaffna Kings executed a historic chase to wrap up the campaign.