Jaiswal and Fernando fined 25% of match fees and given demerit point after Colombo Test clash

Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando were each fined 25% of their match fees and handed one demerit point after the International Cricket Council found they breached Article 2.12 during the second Test between Sri Lanka and India in Colombo, with the sanction announced on Day 2 of the match.

The incident began on the opening day when, after being dismissed, Jaiswal walked towards Fernando and the two exchanged words. According to reports, Fernando moved his head towards Jaiswal and the Indian batter responded by moving his head forward, causing their heads to clash; the brief physical contact drew wide attention on social media and prompted an ICC investigation.

The ICC concluded both players had breached Article 2.12 of the Code of Conduct, relating to inappropriate physical contact with another player or person on the field during an international match. As a result, Jaiswal and Fernando were fined 25% of their match fees and given one demerit point each; both admitted their mistake and accepted the penalty proposed by the match referee.

A Level 1 violation typically attracts, at a minimum, an official reprimand, a fine of at least 50% of the match fee, and one or two demerit points. The ICC noted this was the first such offence for either player in the previous 24 months, so one demerit point was added to each player’s 24-month disciplinary record cycle.

The ICC statement warned that players can face suspension or bans under rules that apply when four or more demerit points accumulate within a specified period. The federation also said the imposed restrictions have put an official end to the confrontation that had divided fans on social media into opposing camps.

On the field, the intense red-ball contest between India and Sri Lanka continues in Colombo. Jaiswal is listed fourth among India’s leading run-scorers in the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 cycle with 790 runs, and he has recorded three Test centuries away from home against the West Indies, England and Australia.

With both players having accepted the match referee’s sanction, each retains one demerit point on their 24-month record and play in the second Test in Colombo has resumed.