Sri Lanka batter Dinesh Chandimal was taken to hospital for a precautionary scan after suffering a painful right shoulder and neck injury while fielding on Day 4 of the first Test against India in Galle on Tuesday.
The 36-year-old was injured while attempting to prevent a boundary early in India's second innings. Chandimal dived for the ball but landed awkwardly and immediately appeared to be in significant discomfort. He remained on the ground for some time, holding the right side of his neck.
The Sri Lankan team doctor and physiotherapist attended to him before he was taken to hospital for further evaluation. Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that Chandimal had undergone a precautionary scan, with further information expected after the results.
Chandimal is taken off the field. (Screengrab: Sony Sports)
The injury comes at a difficult time for Sri Lanka, who are facing a challenging fourth-innings chase against India. Chandimal had scored only four runs in the first innings, when Sri Lanka were dismissed for 284, leaving India with a substantial 178-run first-innings advantage.
INDIA BUILD A MASSIVE LEAD ON DAY 4
India strengthened their position on Tuesday, with Devdutt Padikkal contributing a composed 44 in the second innings. The left-hander, who had struck 167 in India's first innings, helped steady the innings before being dismissed shortly before lunch.
India went into the lunch interval at 116 for four, extending their overall lead to 294 runs, with Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel at the crease.
Sri Lanka had already fallen well behind after India posted a huge first-innings score. Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja combined to take seven wickets as the hosts were bowled out for 284, despite a century from Dinusha. India therefore carried a 178-run lead into their second innings.
India's second innings began poorly as Yashasvi Jaiswal edged Asitha Fernando to wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella in the opening over. KL Rahul was initially given out lbw to Prabath Jayasuriya but successfully overturned the decision through DRS before later being dismissed for 35.
Captain Shubman Gill was also trapped lbw by Jayasuriya, but Padikkal's steady contribution helped India regain control.
Rishabh Pant then took charge in the second session, smashing 66 runs with eight fours and two sixes. India's overall lead crossed the 350-run mark during the session.
CHANDIMAL RULED OUT AFTER CONCUSSION ASSESSMENT
Later in the second session, Sri Lanka Cricket confirmed that Chandimal had been ruled out of the Test after being diagnosed with concussion. Debutant Pasindu Sooriyabandara was approved as his concussion replacement.
Sri Lanka now face a daunting task in the fourth innings as they attempt to chase down India's imposing target. India, meanwhile, are looking for a victory that would keep their hopes of reaching the World Test Championship Final alive.
