Cricketers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando have come under fire after a recent ugly on-field confrontation marred the opening day of the second Test in Colombo.
The incident unfolded after Fernando gave Jaiswal a send-off. The India opener turned back to confront the pacer, with the exchange of words quickly escalating. The two players then clashed heads before teammates intervened and separated them.
A shot of the heated confrontation
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara criticised the incident, stressing that players must keep their emotions under control and avoid physical contact on the field.
Pujara calls physical contact ‘unacceptable’
Elaborating on his opinion over the incident, Pujara said there was nothing wrong with players showing frustration or engaging in a verbal exchange, but the situation crossed a line when it became physical.
“It’s not an ideal visual. As a player, you need to control your emotions,” Pujara said, as quoted by The Indian Express.
He acknowledged that tempers can flare during intense Test cricket and said Jaiswal’s initial reaction could have been understood as long as it remained a verbal exchange.
“Sometimes you do get angry. I can understand that till the time he was disappointed, or he was having a chat, at that time. I think that’s acceptable till then,” he said. However, Pujara drew the line at the moment the confrontation turned physical.
Cheteshwar Pujara
“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,” he stated.
Saba Karim questions players’ conduct
Former India wicketkeeper and commentator Saba Karim was equally critical of the confrontation, saying neither Jaiswal nor Fernando set the right example for young cricket fans.
“Someone should remind both of them that this is not a contact sport. It is cricket. You’re not supposed to headbutt each other, but I find it extremely puerile. There’s no need for something like this on a cricket field,” Karim said.
He acknowledged that bowlers are expected to be aggressive and can provoke opponents during a fiercely contested match. However, he argued that aggression should remain within the boundaries of sporting conduct.
“There’ll be times when a pace bowler or a bowler will get after you. One can always remain aggressive without getting into an act like this. I think it is unnecessary,” Karim added. He also highlighted the responsibility carried by international cricketers, particularly with young fans watching them.
“One should always remember that all such players are brand ambassadors of this lovely sport. So many youngsters are watching it,” he said.
Jaiswal, Fernando penalised
The International Cricket Council (ICC) also took disciplinary action against both players following the confrontation. Jaiswal and Fernando were each fined 25% of their match fees and awarded one ICC demerit point for their respective roles in the incident.
The sanctions came after the fiery exchange threatened to overshadow the cricketing action on the first day of the Colombo Test.