Ravi Ashwin shows concern after Karunaratne’s injury, Sri Lankan fan thanks him

Karunaratne after being rushed to the hospital was declared fit to resume batting.

Published - 03 Feb 2019, 18:54 IST | Updated - 03 Feb 2019, 18:54 IST

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In the second Test between Australia and Sri Lanka, opener Dimuth Karunaratne was rushed to the hospital after a Pat Cummins bouncer hit him on the back of his neck in Canberra. Cummins, along with other players from both sides looked on anxiously as the medical staff rushed to the ground for immediate assistance and the batsman looked in bad shape. The nasty blow brought back memories of Australia opener Philip Hughes suffering a blow in his neck in 2014, to which he lost his life.

But after his two-day stay in the hospital, Karunaratne is clear to bat on day three of the second Test. The opener, only the second Sri Lankan to make a half-century in the series, has been the team’s biggest weapon at the top and his return will be a huge boost to the side. Like most in the cricketing community, Ravi Ashwin was also concerned with the injury and expressed relief to know that the Lankan was doing fine.

Announcing himself fit and thanking all those who took care of him, the batsman wrote on Twitter, “To all at @CricketAus #Canberrahospital ,to Dr.Asanka and to all who were there when I received a blow !!! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for looking after my well-being Cheers My Cricketing battle starts all over again tomorrow.. #AUSvSL

To all at @CricketAus #Canberrahospital ,to Dr.Asanka and to all who were there when I received a blow !!!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for looking after my well-being
Cheers
My Cricketing battle starts all over again tomorrow.. #AUSvSL
— Dimuth Karunaratne (@IamDimuth) February 2, 2019

India’s ace spin bowler Ravichandran Ashwin replied to the tweet with his pleasure to know that the batsman was doing fine. “It’s nice to see that Dimuth is doing fine,” Ashwin wrote as a reply to Dimuth’s tweet.

It's nice to see that Dimuth is doing fine. 🙏 https://t.co/CywfJIRdYm
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) February 2, 2019

Acknowledging the concern expressed by an Indian cricketer for his Sri Lankan counterpart, a fan of the Island team wrote, “Great @ashwinravi99 thanks for concern Sri Lanka.

Great @ashwinravi99 thanks 🙏 for concern Sri Lanka 🇱🇰
— Ravindu Thilanka🇱🇰 (@krtperera) February 2, 2019

As far as the match is concerned, Sri Lanka slumped from 90 for 1 to 123 for 3 at stumps on Day 2 after Karunaratne was rushed to the hospital from the field. The visitors have a huge task to achieve as they are already trailing 1-0 in the two-match series. On the close of play on Day 3, Lanka are 17-0, chasing 516. Dimuth remained unbeaten on eight runs.