Pasindu Sooriyabandara Replaces Dinesh Chandimal as Concussion Substitute

Samira Vishwas

Tezzbuzz|19-08-2026

The Sri Lankan batter Dinesh Chandimal was ruled out in the middle of the Galle Test after suffering a concussion while preventing a boundary in the field.

Although precautionary hospital scans showed no fractures or internal injuries, he failed subsequent concussion protocols, which led to him being ruled out of the match.

Chandimal slammed his shoulder and hit his head against the turf during the impact, immediately showing signs of distress and requiring urgent attention from the team medical staff before being escorted off for precautionary hospital scans.

While initial medical evaluations and hospital scans confirmed no signs of internal injury or fractures, subsequent protocols thorough on-field evaluation.

Chandimal was assessed for concussion symptoms by the team doctor and physiotherapist. Dinesh Chandimal scored only 4 in the first innings as visitors secured a 178-run lead against hosts.

Following the examination, the medical team confirmed that the veteran had suffered a concussion, ruling him out of further participation in the test to prioritise his health and recovery.

In accordance with international protocols, Sri Lanka requested a concussion replacement, which was swiftly reviewed and officially approved by the match referee.

Dinesh Chandimal (image: X)

Chandimal has played 92 Test matches and has scored over 6530 runs with a high score of 206* at an average of 43.53.

Apart from the long format, he has played 157 ODIs and 69 T20Is, scoring 3854 and 1066 runs, respectively.

Meanwhile, emerging batter Pasindu Sooriyabandara has been named as the like-for-like replacement for Chandimal, taking over a spot in the field where the hosts are at a disadvantage.

He becomes the fifth player in the history of Test cricket to receive his maiden international cap as a substitute player.

With his consistent domestic performance in first-class innings, he maintained an outstanding batting average of 54.36, amassing nearly 5,000 runs including 14 centuries and 23 half-centuries.

India got bowled out for 193 runs in their second innings, setting up a 372-run target for Sri Lanka.

Despite a barrage of short-ball attacks from Sri Lanka pacers dismantling India’s lower order, the visitors managed to push their overall lead past the 370-run mark, setting up a challenging final innings chase on a weary surface at Galle International Stadium.