Yashasvi Jaiswal, Asitha Fernando fined after on-field clash in second Test

COLOMBO: India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando have both been fined by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following a heated on-field confrontation during the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

The ICC said the two players were found guilty of breaching Article 2.12 of its Code of Conduct, which relates to inappropriate physical contact during an international match.

Jaiswal and Fernando were each fined 25 per cent of their match fees and handed one demerit point. The ICC confirmed that neither player had committed a similar offence during the previous 24 months.

The incident occurred during the 17th over of India’s innings on the opening day, shortly after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal.

Rather than simply walking away after the wicket, Jaiswal approached the Sri Lankan pacer and the two exchanged words. The confrontation escalated when Fernando moved his head towards the India batter, who then leaned forward, resulting in head-to-head contact.

Match officials intervened before the incident could develop further.

Both players admitted the offence and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. As a result, no formal disciplinary hearing was required.

The penalties add an unwanted subplot to a Test match in which India have otherwise maintained control.

Despite rain disrupting the second day in Colombo, India reached 475-8 before the weather forced an early end to the second session. Wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel remained unbeaten on 95, leaving him just five runs short of a second Test century.

Jurel’s composed innings has helped India strengthen their position after the visitors made steady progress with the bat.

India also entered the second Test with confidence after a dominant performance in the series opener at Galle. They won that match by 165 runs and currently lead the two-Test series 1-0.

For Sri Lanka, the challenge is now to find a way back into the contest while keeping their focus on the match rather than the disciplinary incident.

Fernando’s contribution with the ball remains important to the hosts, while Jaiswal has established himself as one of India’s most aggressive young batters.

The brief confrontation between the pair may have attracted headlines, but both teams will now be eager to keep their attention on the cricket.

With India in a commanding position and rain threatening to reduce playing time, Sri Lanka face a difficult task to prevent the visitors from completing a series victory.