Manjrekar slams ‘lenient’ punishment for Jaiswal, Vaibhav

MUMBAI: Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) for what he described as lenient disciplinary action against Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi following separate incidents involving the young Indian players.

Manjrekar expressed his frustration on social media after the ICC sanctioned Jaiswal and Sri Lankan fast bowler Asitha Fernando following an on-field confrontation during the Galle Test.

Jaiswal and Fernando were involved in a heated exchange after the Indian batter was dismissed. The situation escalated when the two players moved towards each other and their heads made contact, prompting teammates and officials to intervene before the confrontation could develop further.

The ICC found both players guilty of breaching its code of conduct and imposed a fine of 25 per cent of their match fees, along with one demerit point each.

Manjrekar questioned whether the punishment was strong enough given the nature of the incident. He argued that the authorities should have taken a firmer position on conduct that could potentially undermine discipline and sportsmanship in international cricket.

The former India international also referred to an earlier incident involving 15-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, expressing disappointment that the youngster had received only a 50 per cent match-fee fine.

His comments have renewed discussion about whether disciplinary measures in cricket are consistent across players and incidents, particularly when young cricketers are involved.

The Jaiswal-Fernando confrontation attracted considerable attention because it occurred during a Test match, where players are expected to maintain discipline despite the intense pressure of international competition. The involvement of teammates in separating the two players prevented the incident from becoming more serious.

The ICC’s decision means both Jaiswal and Fernando will carry a demerit point on their disciplinary records, although neither player received a suspension.

Manjrekar’s criticism adds to the wider debate over how cricket’s governing bodies should respond to confrontations on the field. While fines are intended to punish misconduct, some former players believe stronger sanctions are necessary when physical contact occurs.

The controversy also highlights the challenge faced by cricket authorities in balancing firm discipline with proportionate punishment. For now, the ICC decision stands, but Manjrekar’s comments are likely to keep the debate alive over whether international cricket needs tougher penalties for on-field clashes.