Sri Lanka have suffered a significant setback in the ongoing first Test against India in Galle, with experienced batter Dinesh Chandimal ruled out of the remainder of the match after being diagnosed with concussion.
Uncapped batter Pasindu Sooriyabandara has been approved as Chandimal’s concussion replacement.
Chandimal sustained the injury early on Day 4 while fielding during India’s second innings. The 36-year-old attempted to prevent a boundary with a diving effort but landed awkwardly, hurting his right shoulder and neck. He immediately appeared to be in considerable discomfort and remained on the ground holding the back of his neck.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s medical team assessed Chandimal on the field before he was taken to hospital for precautionary scans. Initial examinations found no signs of internal injury, but further assessment led to Chandimal being ruled out of the Test with concussion.
The timing of the injury could hardly be worse for Sri Lanka. Chandimal was dismissed for just four runs in the first innings as the hosts were bowled out for 284, conceding a substantial 178-run first-innings advantage to India.
India had posted 462 in their first innings, powered by Devdutt Padikkal’s maiden Test century and valuable contributions from KL Rahul and the lower order. Sri Lanka’s response was anchored by Sonal Dinusha’s maiden international hundred and a fighting 80 from Niroshan Dickwella, but India’s spinners eventually took control. Manav Suthar claimed four wickets while Ravindra Jadeja picked up three as Sri Lanka were bowled out.
India subsequently began their second innings with a sizeable advantage, putting Sri Lanka under considerable pressure in a Test already affected by rain.
Chandimal’s absence therefore leaves Sri Lanka without one of their most experienced middle-order batters for what could be a demanding fourth-innings chase.
Who Is Pasindu Sooriyabandara?
The concussion replacement gives 26-year-old Pasindu Sooriyabandara an unexpected opportunity to make his Test debut.
Sooriyabandara is a right-handed batter who has built an impressive record in domestic first-class cricket. In 68 first-class matches, he has accumulated 4,893 runs at an outstanding average of 54.36, including 14 centuries and 23 fifties. His highest score is 242. He has also represented Sri Lanka A and has been part of the country’s pathway system for several years.
His domestic numbers underline why he was considered a suitable replacement for Chandimal, particularly with Sri Lanka likely to need another specialist batter during the remainder of the Test.
The ICC’s concussion replacement regulations allow a player who suffers a concussion or suspected concussion during a match to be replaced by an approved player.