Sri Lanka debutant subbed after suffering huge blow to the head during Colombo Test against Afghanistan
The Sri Lanka vs Afghanistan Test match is still going on and has had an interesting turn of events in the game. It all looked to be going the Lankan way when the Afghanistan team was skittled out for 198 in the first innings with only one great knock of 91 from Rahmat Shah to be remembered. The great performance from the Sri Lankan bowling attack gave the batters enough confidence to set a big total on the board. Centuries from Angelo Mathews and Dinesh Chandimal were enough to put the hosts in front with a total of 439 and give them a massive lead of 241 runs.
However, The Afghanistan batters have come out strong in the 2nd innings with 199-1 at the end of day 3. This has really put the Afghans in a great position in the match after trailing behind in the 1st innings of the match. The highlight of the innings was the century from Ibrahim Zadran at the top who scored 101 from 217 deliveries to get Afghanistan back into the game. Both Zadran and Shah have already put on a partnership of 93 for the 2nd wicket and will be looking to take control of the match and put the Sri Lankans under pressure.
The concussion debutante’s substitute
The match also featured some dangerous blows, where Sri Lankan debutante Chamika Gunasekara who was playing his first match in the game suffered a big blow on his helmet while facing Afghanistan pacer Naveed Zadran. Gunasekara was looking to duck as he faced a short one from Zadran, but the ball did not bounce as much as it was expected and, in the end, struck him on the back of his helmet. The 24-year-old player had to undergo a concussion test which he had seemed to have passed, but was struggling afterwards and was eventually subbed. It was Kasun Rajitha who came in his place in the end making it a shocking debut for Gunasekaran.
This is the moment where you have to feel bad for a player who has worked hard to get his place in the national squad and get his cap. Gunasekara had made a place in the side after a brilliant performance in First class cricket where he had taken 30 wickets from the 16 games. This was a chance for him to perform on the big stage, which he could not do due to one misread bouncer. These are the instances that can affect your career in the future but also teach you some important lessons as a young player going forward.
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