India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando have each been fined 25 per cent of their match fees for the physical altercation on Day 1 of the ongoing 2nd Test at the Sinhalese
Sports Club in Colombo. The two were deemed to have breached Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct on Sunday.
Both Jaiswal and Fernando breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match).”
A demerit point has been added to the disciplinary records of both Fernando and Jaiswal as well.
The incident occurred after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal in the 17th over of India’s first innings.
Jaiswal took a detour as he was returning to the dressing room and approached Fernando with the pair exchanging words.
Fernando then moved his head towards Jaiswal, who responded by leaning in, resulting in the two players making head-to-head contact.
Both players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees. As a result, formal hearings were not required.
The charges were brought by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Prageeth Rambukwella.
Level 1 breaches under the ICC Code of Conduct carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
Jaiswal Reacts To The Criticism
Earlier, Jaiswal had justified his reaction and advised critics against passing judgment on his behaviour without knowing what exactly happened on the field.
“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,” Jaiswal commented on a video of broadcaster Harsha Bhogale’s giving his views on the incident.
