SL vs IND: Why did Pasindu Sooriyabandara come to bat in Galle Test despite not being in XI?
26-year-old Pasindu Sooriyabandara made his debut as a concussion substitute.
Sri Lanka suffered a major setback on Day 4 of the first Test against India after experienced batter Dinesh Chandimal was ruled out of the remainder of the match due to a shoulder and neck injury. Hence, Sri Lanka have announced uncapped right-handed batter Pasindu Sooriyabandara as his concussion substitute.
The match referee has agreed to Pasindu as a like-for-like replacement for Chandimal, allowing him, as a concussion replacement, to make his Test debut for his nation. Citing Sri Lanka’s recent struggles and a mountain to climb in terms of the target, this might be one of the biggest matches of his young career.
The incident unfolded during the opening session of Day 4 when Chandimal attempted a dive to stop a boundary in India’s second innings. The Sri Lankan veteran landed awkwardly, injuring his shoulder while also hitting his head on the ground. After being immediately taken off the field, he was shifted to the hospital for precautionary scans.
Though the initial reports showed no internal injury, further medical assessments confirmed that he had suffered a concussion. The SLC immediately ruled him out of any further participation, and hence the replacement was officially announced as per the ICC regulations.
Pasindu Sooriyabandara was out for a golden duck
This might have been a massive blow to the Lankan side, as they are going to miss the services of their most experienced player, and his absence will be particularly felt during high-pressure situations.
However, for young Pasindu, who was waiting for the opportunity to represent his country at the international level, the start has not been good.
Coming out to bat on his Test debut, Sooriyabandara was dismissed on the very first ball he faced from Manav Suthar. No young cricketer wants such a start to their international career.
The 26-year-old Sri Lankan has earned a reputation as a middle-order batter and has made a name for himself through consistent domestic performances. However, he failed to fill the void left by Chandimal.
What is a concussion substitute?
A concussion substitute is a player permitted to play as a full member of the playing XI in the event of a player sustaining a serious head injury.
Why did Pasindu Sooriyabandara come to bat in Galle Test despite not being in XI?
Pasindu has come in as a concussion substitute for Dinesh Chandimal.
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Subhomoy Datta has been a sports writer since 2022. He holds a BSc in Microbiology from Rastraguru Surendranath College, WBSU, and is currently pursuing his master’s at NIT Surathkal. With a growing interest in sports journalism, he enjoys following the game closely and turning sporting moments into stories for fans.