Advertisement

Sri Lankan star breaks hand in brutal dropped catch

Sri Lanka all-rounder Asela Gunaratne could miss the rest of the Test series against India after fracturing his thumb when dropping centurion Shikhar Dhawan in the first session on day one.

Gunaratne was treated on the field before being taken to hospital after doing damage when failing to hold on to a chance offered by opener Dhawan.

Dhawan was on 31 when he edged to Gunaratne, who put him down at second slip in what proved to be a costly missed opportunity off the bowling of Lahiru Kumara.

Gunaratne immediately went down after grassing the chance. Image: Fox Sports
Gunaratne immediately went down after grassing the chance. Image: Fox Sports

The ball struck Gunaratne on the end of the thumb and the man of the match in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe will play no further part in the rest of the opening match in Galle.

Dhawan went on to make his highest Test score of 190 off only 168 balls before he was out just before tea to put the tourists on course for a huge total.

Gunaratne cradles his hand. Image: Fox Sports
Gunaratne cradles his hand. Image: Fox Sports

Gunaratne must wait to discover whether he requires surgery.

Veteran spinner Rangana Herath is leading the home side in the absence of their ailing regular skipper Dinesh Chandimal.