Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal on Sunday got involved in a tense altercation with Asitha Fernando on Day 1 of the second India vs Sri Lanka Test in Colombo. The incident took place immediately after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal (45) with a lovely nip-backer in the first session of the match at the SSC Ground. As the left-hander was walking off the field, Fernando gave him a send-off, prompting Jaiswal to turn back and confront him. Jaiswal’s helmet touched Fernando’s forehead as the two players were engaged in a heated verbal exchange before Sri Lanka skipper Dhananjaya de Silva intervened to separate them.
Jaiswal has been criticised by former players, while India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said the batter “should not have been so close” to Fernando.
After the day’s play ended, popular cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle spoke about whether Jaiswal had crossed the line. In a video, Bhogle said Jaiswal is a great talent and that should always be his dominant trait rather than being combative and responding to send-offs. “He was provoked, but I think they got a little too close.”
Jaiswal on Monday morning responded to the video on Instagram with the following comment:
“If you don’t know what he said, then please don’t make your judgment. If anyone crosses the line, we need to let them know. This India will fight and reply,” Yashasvi Jaiswal commented on the video.
The tense exchange has brought Jaiswal within the ambit of a possible ICC Code of Conduct breach. In this case, match referee Andy Pycroft might invoke Article 2.12, which deals with “inappropriate physical contact” with another player during an international match.
If Jaiswal is indeed found guilty, the punishment for a Level 1 offence could range from an official reprimand to a fine of 50% of his match fee and one or two demerit points.
Former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja has criticised Yashasvi Jaiswal after the latter got involved in the on-field spat.
“It is dangerous territory. There is no doubt about that. Physical contact is a different thing. In the last match, Jaiswal was on the other side. He was fielding, and he said things to Niroshan Dickwella, and we said that banter is nice as long as there is nothing wrong with your language,” Jadeja said on Sony Sports.
“The same thing happened, but if someone cannot laugh at himself, he shouldn’t laugh at others. If you can’t take it back, don’t say it to others either while standing on the ground,” he added
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