After hurting his shoulder and neck while diving to rescue a four at the boundary on the fourth morning of the first Test match against India in Galle, Sri Lanka’s Dinesh Chandimal was sent to the hospital for a precautionary scan.
In the fourth over of India’s second innings, Chandimal ran from deep midwicket to deep square leg, then threw himself horizontally to stop KL Rahul’s stroke. Despite saving two runs, he slid legs over torso after landing hard on his shoulder, causing his neck and shoulder to twist beneath him.
As teammates, the team physiotherapist, and the doctor went to him, he instantly slumped on the other side of the border and looked to be in severe pain. At times, he was observed grasping his head, neck, and shoulder.
After a while, he stood up and cautiously entered the dressing rooms. Pasindu Sooriyabandara, a substitute fielder, took his spot on the pitch.
Sri Lanka may use a concussion substitution to replace Chandimal for the rest of the Test if the scans reveal a serious neck injury.
The team’s backup top-order hitter is Sooriyabandara. Before the fourth day of play began, the visitors held a 178-run lead thanks to Sri Lanka’s 284 in response to India’s 462, with Chandimal scoring just 4 in the first innings.
