![Yashasvi Jaiswal fights with Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1787491466929_YashasviJaiswalTestFight.jpg?type=hq)
Yashasvi Jaiswal fights with Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando [Source: AFP]
Emotions were running high in Colombo as Yashasvi Jaiswal found himself in the middle of a ruckus with Sri Lankan bowler Asitha Fernando on Day 1 of the second Test of the series.
Batting first, India were looking to assert domination over the hosts in order to clinch the series and keep their World Test Championship 2027 final qualification in their hands. However, as Fernando got the better of the well-set Jaiswal, the batter lost control of his emotions and acted upon it on the field.
Yashasvi Jaiswal vs Asitha Fernando gets ugly
The incident happened at the end of the 16th over after Yashasvi Jaiswal got played on off an Asitha Fernando delivery. Jaiswal was cruising towards his first half-century of the series at a brisk pace, but the wicket fell when he was at 45 off 52.
The Indian batter looked dejected and was walking back to the pavilion when he heard something from the celebrating Sri Lankan camp. From what it looked like, Asitha Fernando could have said something that triggered Jaiswal, who turned back and exchanged words with the bowler.
What was concerning was how things escalated, and the southpaw channelled his inner Zinedine Zidane and headbutted the bowler before Sri Lankan fielders separated the duo.
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Sitanshu Kotak reacts to Jaiswal’s fight
At the end of the day, after India piled up 300/5, courtesy of another century for Devdutt Padikkal and starts for others, Sitanshu Kotak was a happy man heading into the post-Day press conference.
When he was questioned about his opinion of what happened with Jaiswal and Fernando in the morning, the batting coach admitted that it was a mistake from the batter to go up close with the opponent.
“Heat of the moment tha, Yashasvi ko itne kareeb nahi jaana chahiye tha. [It was the heat of the moment. Yashasvi shouldn’t have gone this close],” he told the press conference.
Will Yashasvi Jaiswal face a ban after the fight?
From what could be seen in the moment, the fight between the two players started after Asitha Fernando said something that led to the moment. However, verbal altercations happen very often on the field, but are considered minor offences as per the ICC code of conduct.
But what Jaiswal did with the headbutt crossed the line, and it counts as deliberate physical contact. There are specific punishments for these fights, and it could lead to a match suspension as well.
Article 2.12 (Inappropriate Physical Contact), which applies when a player deliberately, recklessly, or negligently bumps, shoulders, or runs into another player or official.
As said by the Sri Lankan staff, the Match Referee will decide the gravity of the offence. If it is ruled a level 1/2 Offence, as per the law, there will be a fine of 50% match fees and a demerit point will be handed.
However, if it is ruled a level 3/4 offence, which covers physical assault of any player and other acts of violence, Jaiswal could also face a match suspension, putting the New Zealand series in danger.
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