Yashasvi Jaiswal could face disciplinary action from the ICC after his heated confrontation with Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando during the second Test in Colombo on Sunday.
The incident occurred immediately after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal for 45. As the Indian opener walked back, Fernando appeared to give him a send-off, prompting Jaiswal to turn around and confront the bowler.
During the exchange, Jaiswal’s helmet made contact with Fernando’s forehead before Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva stepped in to separate the two players.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak suggested the confrontation may have happened in the heat of the moment but acknowledged that Jaiswal should not have made physical contact with an opposition player.
The incident falls under Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which covers inappropriate physical contact with another player during an international match. Match referee Andy Pycroft is expected to assess the incident.
If Jaiswal is found guilty of a Level 1 offence, he could receive an official reprimand, a fine of up to 50 per cent of his match fee, and one or two demerit points.
Sri Lanka fast-bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk said the matter was for the match referee to determine.
The confrontation came after Jaiswal had made a positive start before Fernando produced a delivery that moved sharply back into him and breached his defence. With the match referee now set to examine the incident, Jaiswal’s final punishment will depend on the officials’ assessment of what happened.
