ICC punishes Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando for heated altercation in SL vs IND 2nd Test

The opening batter of the Indian side, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and the right-arm pacer of the Sri Lankan side, Asitha Fernando, have been punished with 25% of their match fees for their physical altercation during the opening day’s play of the second Test between Sri Lanka and India at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. 

India, having won the toss in the second game after their massive victory by 165 runs in the opening game at the Galle Cricket Club, opted to bat first on a surface which has been expected to break towards the fourth and fifth day of the game, creating trouble for the batters against the spinners.

ICC's verdict: What the sanction states against Jaiswal and Fernando states

Both Jaiswal and Fernando were found to have breached Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct for the Player and the Player Support Personnel, which is related to the “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person, including any spectator during the international game.”

Both players have admitted to the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. That has led to no formal hearings between the two.

See Also: Watch: Yashasvi Jaiswal-Asitha Fernando engaged in heated argument in SL vs IND 2nd Test

“Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando were fined 25 per cent of their match fee and were handed one demerit point each. Both players didn't have any previous offences in the preceding 24-month period.” The ICC revealed this in its official statement.

Jaiswal's reaction to Fernando's send-off sparked a head-clash after his 17th-over dismissal

On the second ball of the 17th over of the innings, Jaiswal smashed Fernando for a boundary. A delivery later, he smashed one more four into the slip region before one through the backward square fence. But the bowler replied with the wicket of the southpaw, who went for a drive on the back foot and ended up getting the inside edge on the stumps.

Jaiswal had scored 45 runs off 33 balls when he became the second batter to be dismissed, with India's total being 66/2 at that time. He charged back on his return to the dressing room as a few words were exchanged with Fernando.

See Also: "If you don't know..."- Yashasvi Jaiswal replies to Harsha Bhogle on heated exchange with Asitha Fernando

“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 that India will fight and reply.” The opening batter spoke about the incident in response to Cricbuzz's Instagram post.