Colombo, August 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando have each been fined 25 per cent of their match fees and handed one demerit point for their on-field altercation during the first day of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, the International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Monday.
The two players were found guilty of breaching Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which covers inappropriate physical contact with a player, support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other person during an international match.
The sanctions were proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft. Both Jaiswal and Fernando admitted the offences, meaning the matter did not require a formal hearing. Neither player had accumulated any demerit points during the previous 24 months.
The incident occurred during the 17th over when Fernando dismissed Jaiswal with a delivery that moved into the left-hander. As Jaiswal walked back after his dismissal, he appeared to react to something said by the Sri Lankan bowler and returned to confront him.
The exchange escalated into physical contact, with the two players banging heads before being separated.
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle subsequently suggested in a video posted by Cricbuzz on Instagram that Jaiswal should have walked away after being dismissed. Responding to the comment, Jaiswal said Bhogle should not make a judgment without knowing what had been said.
“If you don’t know what he said, then please don’t make your judgment. If anyone crosses the line, we need to let them know this: India will fight and reply,” Jaiswal posted before the start of the second day.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had earlier acknowledged that Jaiswal’s reaction may have occurred in the “heat of the moment”, while saying the batter should not have made physical contact with Fernando.
“I think they must have said something to him, and it might have happened in the heat of the moment. Obviously, Jaiswal, I don’t think he should have been so close (to Fernando), but that happens when you are in the heat of the moment,” Kotak said.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando were fined 25% of their match fees and handed one demerit point each for their Colombo Test altercation.
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