Amid another day of India’s batting dominance in the ongoing Test series in Sri Lanka, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s ugly moment in Colombo became the talking point at the end of Day 1 of the second Test. The India batter was involved in a tense exchange with Sri Lanka bowler Asitha Fernando after his dismissal before lunch, with both players likely to face sanctions from the ICC.
The incident happened in the 17th over after India opted to bat first. Jaiswal had smashed three consecutive boundaries against Fernando before the fast bowler bounced back with a shorter delivery on the final ball of the over. Jaiswal got an inside edge onto his stumps and was dismissed.
There appeared to be a send-off from the celebrating Sri Lankan players as Jaiswal, who had begun walking towards the pavilion, turned back and charged at Fernando. The two then squared up and briefly butted heads before Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva intervened.
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Will Jaiswal and Fernando face ICC action?
Under Clause 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, “inappropriate physical contact with a player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other person during an international match” can attract a Level 1 or Level 2 offence when the contact involves players or player support personnel.
Clause 2.13 deals with “personal abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other person during an international match”.
Based on what happened in Colombo, any action against Jaiswal or Fernando would most likely fall under Level 1, or at most Level 2. The possible sanctions at those levels range from an official warning to a fine of up to 50% of a player’s match fee.
Neither player has a previous recorded offence, meaning a suspension appears unlikely unless the match officials or match referee determine that the incident was more serious than it appeared.
What did the Indian camp say about Jaiswal?
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak felt Jaiswal should not have gone “that close” to Fernando during the heated exchange, but suggested that the incident was sparked by something the Sri Lankan bowler had said in the heat of the moment.
“I think the bowler must have made some comment, and it was probably said in the heat of the moment. Obviously, I don’t think Jaiswal should have gone that close, but these things happen in the heat of the moment,” Kotak said.