Sri Lanka vs India: Asela Gunaratne ruled out of series with a fractured left thumb

Galle: Sri Lanka's Asela Gunaratne is certain to miss the rest of the three-Test series against India after suffering a multiple fracture of his thumb while fielding on Wednesday's opening day of the first game.

The all-rounder was to undergo surgery in Colombo later Wednesday after being rushed from Galle where an X-ray confirmed a serious injury.

"Most probably he will miss a minimum of four weeks. We will know in the next 48 hours about the time frame," Sri Lanka's cricket manager Asanka Gurusinha told reporters.

"He has fractures in three places. As soon as we saw the X-rays we knew it was very serious and we rushed him to Colombo. (It's) tough to lose one of our main players. We are down with ten players against the world's number one team. He was our in-form batsman."

Gunaratne sustained the injury while fielding at second slip. He hurt his thumb while attempting a catch of India opener Shikhar Dhawan off the bowling of Lahiru Kumara. Dhawan was batting on 31 when Gunaratne put down the chance.

Such was the severity of the injury that Gunaratne has been rushed to Colombo for an operation. Gunaratne's injury means Sri Lanka will bat with only 10 players in both their innings. Dhawan went on to score a career-best 190 and help India finish the day on 399-3.