Colombo: ICC sanctions Jaiswal and Fernando after on-field incident
India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka bowler Asitha Fernando have received sanctions from the International Cricket Council (ICC) following an incident that occurred on the opening day of the second ICC World Test Championship fixture in Colombo. Both players were found to have violated Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.
The specific article pertains to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match).” As a result of their breach, both Jaiswal and Fernando were each fined 25 per cent of their match fee and received one demerit point. Neither player had any prior offenses recorded within the preceding 24-month period.
Details of the on-field confrontation
The incident took place during the 17th over of India’s batting innings after Fernando had dismissed Jaiswal. As Jaiswal was walking back to the pavilion, Fernando delivered a send-off, prompting the Indian batter to turn and confront the bowler. The exchange quickly intensified, with both players trading words.
The confrontation escalated to physical contact when Fernando moved his head towards Jaiswal, who then leaned in, causing their heads to make contact. According to one report, Jaiswal’s helmet also made contact with Fernando’s forehead, and there was a push before Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva and other players intervened to separate them. Both Jaiswal and Fernando admitted to the offenses and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, which meant formal hearings were not required.
Former India all-rounder Ajay Jadeja criticised Jaiswal for allowing the confrontation to become physical. Speaking on Sony Sports, Jadeja highlighted the dangers of physical contact in such situations. He drew a comparison to an earlier incident involving Jaiswal and Sri Lanka’s Niroshan Dickwella, where Jadeja had commented that banter is acceptable as long as the language remains appropriate.
Jadeja emphasised that players who engage in banter should also be prepared to receive it. He stated, “If you can’t take it back, don’t say it to others either while standing on the ground.” His comments underscored the importance of maintaining boundaries during on-field exchanges, especially when they risk turning physical and attracting scrutiny from match officials and the ICC Code of Conduct.
Team reactions and ongoing match
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak acknowledged that Jaiswal should not have approached Fernando so closely. Kotak suggested that the exchange was likely a result of emotions running high during the match. He reiterated his assessment in a post-day press conference, indicating that something Fernando might have said could have triggered the incident.
Sri Lanka fast bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk chose not to comment on potential punishments, deferring the matter to match referee Andy Pycroft. He described the verbal exchanges as likely an “overflow of emotion.” The match referee had the authority to examine the incident under Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which addresses “inappropriate physical contact” between players during an international match.
The second Test in Colombo has seen an intense battle between India and Sri Lanka. Play was halted on day two due to rain during the second session. At the time of the stoppage, India had reached a score of 475/8, with Dhruv Jurel unbeaten on 95, just five runs shy of his second Test century.
Source: icc-cricket.com
