Colombo: It was a rare, ugly altercation in the middle of a cricket field.
Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, furious over the send-off given to him after being clean bowled by Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando in the second Test at Colombo, rushed towards the latter and seemed to have ‘helmet-butted’ him.
Both players, especially Jaiswal, could have faced serious sanctions, including a suspension, as the incident involved physical contact.
However, ICC Match Referee Andy Pycroft handed both players a 25 per cent match-fee fine and one demerit point.
Jaiswal and Fernando were found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which covers “Inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person”.
Jaiswal and Fernando admitted the offence and accepted the sanctions proposed by the Match Referees.
The fact that neither player had committed an offence during the previous 24 months may have helped them escape a more serious punishment.
Jaiswal had earlier responded to media reports and comments suggesting that he had crossed the line.
“If you don’t know what he (Fernando) said, then please don’t make your judgment if anyone crossed the line.. we need to let them know this India will fight and reply,” Jaiswal commented.
India post 503/9 declared
Jaiswal was dismissed for 45, as Team India went on to post a mammoth first-innings total of 503/9 declared, with Devdutt Padikkal (117) posting his second century of the series and Dhruv Jurel stroking an unbeaten 115.
India are looking for a clean sweep after winning the opening Test at Galle by 165 runs.
