Dinesh Chandimal was rushed to the hospital for precautionary scans after he suffered a shoulder and neck injury while fielding during India's second innings on day four of the first Test match at Galle International Stadium on August 18, 2026.
The Sri Lankan opener collided with the turf on his shoulder awkwardly while attempting a spectacular horizontal dive to snuff out a drive from KL Rahul at deep square leg during the fourth over of India's innings.
Dinesh Chandimal had sprinted from deep midwicket to deep square leg and collided with the turf on his shoulder awkwardly while diving horizontally to snuff out a drive from KL Rahul. He was assisted by the Sri Lankan medical staff and was stretchered off the ground soon.
Dinesh Chandimal Sent for Scans as Sri Lanka Assess Injury
Pasindu Sooriyabandara was called to replace Chandimal as substitute fielder and remained as the replacement for the rest of the time. Sri Lanka later sent Chandimal to the hospital for scans to establish the extent of the injury.
If the situation allows, Sri Lanka can request a like-for-like concussion replacement for the rest of the Test, subject to approval by the match referee, given that the scans show that the situation is grave. Sooriyabandara was already in the line-up as a substitute fielder and offered Sri Lanka another top-order batting option.
The availability of Dinesh Chandimal for the remainder of the Test will be determined by the results of the scan and his medical condition.
India consolidates strong position in Galle Test as Sri Lanka struggles
The first Test between India and Sri Lanka runs from August 15 to 19, with India posting a commanding position after the first innings. India amassed a total of 462 before dismissing their hosts for 284, giving them a lead of 178.
Also read: Matt Renshaw Returns as Australia Drop Jake Weatherald After Bangladesh Shock
India later posted an overall lead of more than 250 in the first hour of Day 4, with Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul and Shubman Gill all falling to fast bowling as the visitors continued their bid to declare the innings and post a challenging total for the home team.
Dinesh Chandimal only scored four runs in Sri Lanka's first innings, and his potential unavailability would be a blow to the hosts' hopes of mounting a successful response.
At least for now, Sri Lanka must focus on Chandimal's well-being and whether he will be fit enough to bat in the second innings, which may be crucial if the hosts must chase down a large deficit on the final day.