ICC fines Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando after Colombo Test confrontation
The International Cricket Council has imposed disciplinary sanctions on India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando following an on-field confrontation during the opening day of the second Test in Colombo. Both players were handed a 25 per cent match-fee fine and given one demerit point each.
The incident was found to breach Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which covers "inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person." The episode took place in the 17th over of India’s innings on Day 1 after Fernando had dismissed Jaiswal for 45. Both players admitted the offence and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so no formal hearing was required. The ICC noted that neither player had committed an offence during the previous 24 months.
The sequence began when Fernando produced a sharp nip-backer to remove Jaiswal, who had scored 45 from 53 balls, and then issued a send-off as Jaiswal walked away. Jaiswal turned back, the pair exchanged words and their heads made contact before Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva and other players intervened to separate them.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said emotions had boiled over but added that Jaiswal should not have moved so close to Fernando. Media coverage included a video posted by Cricbuzz on Instagram under the caption "Did Jaiswal cross the line?", which prompted a public response from Jaiswal.
Responding to the online analysis, Jaiswal wrote: "If you don’t know what he said then please don’t make your judgment if anyone cross the line we need to let them know this India will fight and reply,". That comment followed earlier scrutiny of footage and commentary around the exchange.
The confrontation came amid a busy opening day for India, who recovered from early setbacks to finish on 300/5, with Devdutt Padikkal making 117. Jaiswal and captain Shubman Gill shared a 120-run partnership for the third wicket, both reaching half-centuries before being dismissed; Rishabh Pant retired hurt on three after being struck on the wrist by Lahiru Kumara.
Play continued into Day 2 with Ravindra Jadeja helping Padikkal rebuild before Padikkal fell to Fernando and debutant Saransh Jain dismissed early. Pant later returned to the crease and hit a six, and India reached 475/8 before rain halted play, with Dhruv Jurel unbeaten on 95.
The ICC’s decision brings a formal close to the Colombo incident; both Jaiswal and Fernando now carry one demerit point on their disciplinary records from the Test.
