Team India's opening batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal clashed with Asitha Fernando on the first day (23 August) of the second Test match being played in Colombo. Asitha had said something to Yashasvi after taking his wicket. After this, Yashasvi, who was returning to the pavilion, turned and clashed with this Sri Lankan bowler. An argument started between the two and they got into a scuffle. Both of them fought. After this, Yashasvi faced severe criticism because he sledged Niroshan Dickwella in the first Test played in Galle.
On the instigation of Yashasvi, Dickwella attempted a strange shot and lost his wicket. People used to say that if you sledge others then learn to tolerate them. However, Yashasvi clarified that the Sri Lankan bowler had crossed the limit, to which he responded. Former Indian cricketers Cheteshwar Pujara, WV Raman and Saba Karim do not agree with this clarification of Yashasvi. Everyone has criticized him in one voice.
ICC has fined Yashasvi and Asitha 25-25 percent of the match fee for this incident. Besides, 1-1 demerit point has also been added to the accounts of both. During the play on the second day of the Colombo Test, ICC informed that both have accepted their punishment, hence there was no need for a formal hearing.
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Pujara said – body contact is not acceptable
Veteran batsman Pujara said on Sony Sports Network, 'As a player you have to control your emotions. Sometimes one gets angry. I can understand that as long as he was angry or talking, it was fine. I think it is acceptable till that point but when the matter escalated to such an extent that both of them started pushing each other and body contact took place, it is not acceptable.
Raman believes that Yashasvi has not been able to take advantage of the opportunities given in this series, due to which he fought out of frustration. He said, 'Some altercations always happen on the cricket field. This happens, especially after the fall of wickets but it is very important to maintain control because if you do not control yourself, you can get into trouble and there is a limit which you cannot cross. In the first test, when he was looking in good form, he got out. Normally in a Test match you don't get run out like this and here too he was set and got out on a ball which he could have played going forward. He knows he is missing opportunities. So a little frustration is coming out.
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Saba Karib made sharp criticism
Saba Karib, who was the selector of Team India, gave sharp criticism and said that international cricketers should set an example for the next generation. He said, 'Someone should remind both of them that this is not a 'contact sport'. This is cricket. You shouldn't hit each other's heads. I find this behavior very childish. There is no need for such things on the cricket field.
Saba Karim further said, 'There will be such occasions when some fast bowler or some bowler will provoke you. One can remain aggressive even without doing such actions. I think this is unnecessary and one should always remember that all such players are brand ambassadors of the game. A lot of young people are watching it.