Sri Lanka Vs India 2017: Dinesh Chandimal Bats For Injury Replacements In Tests
Aug 5, 2017 at 11:56 AM
With Sri Lanka crippled with injuries in the ongoing series against India, Dinesh Chandimal has urged the International Cricket Council to allow substitute players when a match-ending injury occurs in the first hour of a Test. Asela Gunaratne had suffered a thumb injury in the very first session of the series-opener at Galle and was ruled out of the match and later the entire series. His absence hurt the island nation as they suffered a heavy 304-run defeat which is their biggest loss.
“Asela got injured in the first session itself and we badly missed him throughout out the match, I am not saying this because our team would have been benefited but in future also all other teams, if meet this situation, would welcome it,” Chandimal told The Daily Observer.
The hosts are facing the same issue in the ongoing second Test too with their pace spearhead Nuwan Pradeep being ruled out of the entire match which still has three days left. The fast-bowler, who had picked up a six-wicket haul in Galle, managed to bowl only 17.4 overs on the opening day of the match before leaving the field. He did not return to the field at all on the second day (August 4). Consequently, Sri Lanka will now have to play the match with only 10 players. What’s worse is that Pradeep was the only fast-bowler in the playing eleven.
Meanwhile, Chandimal, who missed the first game due to pneumonia, has been given permission by the ICC to use an inhaler during the ongoing match. Many inhalers contain substances that are banned by sporting authorities.
“I am much better. Thanks to the ICC they gave permission for me to use the inhaler, and that will help me breathe properly,” Chandimal had said prior to the match.