Sri Lankan cricketer Dinesh Chandimal suffered a concerning injury while fielding on Day 4 (August 18) of the first Test against India at the Galle International Cricket Stadium. The veteran batter left the field after landing awkwardly on his head and neck while attempting a diving stop near the boundary rope.
On the third day, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 284 in 79.4 overs. Team India took a commanding first-innings lead with two days remaining in the Test. Left-arm spinner Manav Suthar led India’s attack with 4/76, while Ravindra Jadeja finished with 3/57 as the visitors tightened their grip on the contest.
Dinesh Chandimal Leaves Field After Awkward Dive
The injury occurred during the fourth over of India's second innings. Keshara Nuwantha bowled a full delivery, and KL Rahul swept it towards deep square leg. Dinesh Chandimal ran across and dived to stop the ball before the batters ran two runs.
Chandimal appeared to injure himself while completing the stop. Replays showed his body getting stuck in the turf as he slid, causing him to tumble awkwardly. He landed heavily while attempting to control the ball, with the impact seemingly affecting his head and neck.
The Sri Lankan fielder immediately held the back of his head and neck as the physio rushed towards him. After receiving treatment near the boundary, Chandimal left the field. Sri Lanka then brought on a substitute fielder.
Chandimal seems hurt. Physio is running in. pic.twitter.com/x3oBh4uoyo
— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) August 18, 2026
Dinesh Chandimal walks off the field trying to save a boundary. #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/REDil9BwLQ
— Debasis Sen (@debasissen) August 18, 2026
Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) provides an official update on Dinesh Chandimal
"Dinesh Chandimal sustained an injury to his right shoulder and neck while diving to prevent a boundary while fielding during the first session of day 4.
"He was assessed by the team physiotherapist and doctor on the ground and has been taken to the hospital for a precautionary scan. Further updates will be provided once the scan results are available," SLC stated.
Sri Lanka Slip to 99/5 as India’s Spinners Dominate
India added only two runs to their overnight total before getting bowled out for 462 on Day 3. Sri Lanka then suffered an early collapse as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Nishan Madushka for a duck with the second ball. Manav Suthar struck with his first delivery, removing Dinesh Chandimal for four.
Suthar He dismissed Lahiru Udara for 27, while Shubman Gill took a stunning one-handed catch off Kuldeep Yadav to remove Kamindu Mendis for 14. Ravindra Jadeja then dismissed captain Dhananjaya de Silva for 21, leaving Sri Lanka at 99/5 at lunch.
The hosts looked in trouble, but Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella changed the momentum with a 146-run partnership for the sixth wicket. The pair attacked the spinners with controlled sweeps, with Dickwella reaching his fifty from 67 balls and Dinusha completing his half-century from 92 deliveries.
Sonal Dinusha's Century Rescues Sri Lanka Before India Regain Control
India finally broke the partnership when Prasidh Krishna dismissed Niroshan Dickwella for 80 from 115 balls. He edged behind to Rishabh Pant after making a major contribution to Sri Lanka's recovery. Dickwella had earlier survived a chance when KL Rahul dropped him on 20 at slip off Suthar.
Jadeja then removed Keshara Nuwantha for two after the ball deflected off Yashasvi Jaiswal at silly point and ballooned towards Shubman Gill, who completed the catch. He became only the fourth cricketer to combine 4,000 Test runs with at least 350 wickets.
Dinusha continued to fight and completed his maiden international century from 167 balls. However, Jadeja trapped him lbw. Suthar then dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya and Lahiru Kumara to finish with 4/76, while Jadeja took 3/57.
Also read: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 7th Test duck adds to unwanted record
