Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Actions Deemed ‘Unacceptable’ As Opener Slammed For Headbutt Incident

Yashasvi Jaiswal with Asitha Fernando [Source: AFP]

Yashasvi Jaiswal continues to draw flak for his ugly confrontation against Sri Lanka bowler Asitha Fernando on Day 1 of India’s second Test in Colombo. The incident occurred shortly after Fernando knocked over Jaiswal and gave a fiery send-off to the outbound Indian opener in the 17th over of the innings. 

While both cricketers have since been punished by the ICC, Jaiswal has now been called out by former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara for seemingly ‘headbutting’ the Sri Lankan pacer.

Cheteshwar Pujara calls out Jaiswal for ‘body contact’

While speaking on the Sony Sports Network, cricketer-turned-commentator Cheteshwar Pujara called out controversial Indian opener Yashasvi Jaiswal for his headbutting incident against Sri Lanka’s Asitha Fernando in Colombo.

Pujara stated that while it was acceptable for Jaiswal to “get angry” and have an intense chat with the opposition player, it was totally unacceptable for him for resorting to “body contact” with Fernando. 

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Cheteshwar Pujara said “It's not an ideal visual. As a player, you need to control your emotions. Sometimes you do get angry. I can understand that till the time he was disappointed, or he was when he was having a chat, at that time. I think that's acceptable till then. It is all fine, but the moment it got to a point where both of them were going against each other, there was a body contact, which is not acceptable on the field.”

Yashasvi Jaiswal justifies ‘headbutting’ Asitha Fernando

Earlier in the day, Yashasvi Jaiswal justified his headbutting incident against Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando. 

Responding to criticism from prominent Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle, the 24-year-old took to social media and 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.”

ICC punishes Jaiswal and Fernando

Asitha Fernando gave a fiery sendoff to Yashasvi Jaiswal after knocking out the Indian opener for 45 off 53 balls on Day 1 of the second Test in Colombo. Jaiswal responded back with a ‘headbutt’ and the two cricketers also had an animated exchange in the middle.

As it happened, both Jaiswal and Fernando have now been punished by the International Cricket Council (ICC). On Monday, August 24, the apex body released a statement, claiming that the two cricketers have been fined 25 percent of their match fees for their Day 1 altercation.

The two players were also handed one demerit point each for breaching Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The conduct 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).”

Both Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando accepted the sanctions as imposed by ICC Match referee Andy Pycroft, and as a result, no formal hearing took place for the two players.

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