Sri Lanka batter Dinesh Chandimal suffered a concerning injury while fielding on Day 4 of the first Test against India at the Galle International Cricket Stadium on August 18. The veteran cricketer was forced to leave the field after landing awkwardly while attempting to stop the ball near the boundary. The incident occurred during the fourth over of India’s second innings. Keshara Nuwantha bowled a full delivery to KL Rahul, who swept the ball towards deep square leg.

Chandimal sprinted across the field and dived in an attempt to prevent a boundary, allowing the batters to complete two runs. However, Dinesh Chandimal appeared to hurt himself while making the stop. Replays showed his body getting stuck in the turf as he slid, causing him to tumble awkwardly. He landed heavily and immediately held the back of his head and neck before the Sri Lankan medical team rushed over to assess him.

After receiving treatment near the boundary, Chandimal was unable to continue and left the field. Sri Lanka subsequently brought on a substitute fielder.

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Sri Lanka Cricket later confirmed that Chandimal had sustained an injury to his right shoulder and neck. He was assessed by the team physiotherapist and doctor before being taken to hospital for a precautionary scan. Further updates were expected after the scan results.

Dinesh Chandimal walks off the field trying to save a boundary. #SLvIND pic.twitter.com/REDil9BwLQ

— Debasis Sen (@debasissen) August 18, 2026

Chandimal seems hurt. Physio is running in. pic.twitter.com/x3oBh4uoyo

— Subhayan Chakraborty (@CricSubhayan) August 18, 2026

Chandimal had already been involved in a difficult third day. He was dismissed for just four runs by Manav Suthar, who claimed four wickets as India bowled Sri Lanka out for 284. Ravindra Jadeja also picked up three wickets.

Sri Lanka’s first innings began disastrously after Mohammed Siraj dismissed Nishan Madushka early. Suthar then removed Chandimal and Lahiru Udara, while Shubman Gill took a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Kamindu Mendis. Jadeja subsequently removed captain Dhananjaya de Silva, leaving Sri Lanka at 99/5.

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The hosts fought back through Sonal Dinusha and Niroshan Dickwella, who added 146 runs for the sixth wicket. Dickwella scored 80 before Prasidh Krishna ended the partnership, while Dinusha went on to register his maiden international century. Jadeja later dismissed Keshara Nuwantha and completed the rare milestone of 4,000 Test runs and 350 wickets. Suthar finished with 4/76, while Jadeja returned 3/57 as India secured a commanding first-innings advantage.