Tempers flared during the opening session of the second Test between India and Sri Lanka on Sunday as Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando were involved in a heated exchange following the India opener’s dismissal at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Jaiswal had looked in good touch before Fernando ended his innings in the 17th over. The left-hander scored 45 off 53 balls, hitting nine boundaries, but his dismissal was followed by an animated confrontation between the batter and the Sri Lankan pacer.
Jaiswal and Fernando face off
Fernando had already conceded three boundaries in the over before producing the delivery that finally dismissed Jaiswal.
Coming around the wicket, the pacer bowled a good-length delivery that moved back into the batter. Jaiswal attempted to punch it through the off side but got an inside edge, with the ball ricocheting onto the stumps.
Fernando celebrated the wicket enthusiastically and appeared to give Jaiswal a fiery send-off.
Jaiswal initially walked away but then turned back towards the bowler after seemingly hearing something from him. The two exchanged words before coming face-to-face.
The confrontation appeared to verge on physical contact, prompting Sri Lankan players to intervene and separate the two cricketers.
Jaiswal’s promising innings ends at 45
The incident came after Jaiswal had provided India with an aggressive start. The opener repeatedly punished Sri Lanka’s bowlers when they missed their lines and lengths and struck nine fours during his 53-ball stay.
His dismissal left India 66/2, with both openers back in the pavilion during the first session.
Earlier, KL Rahul had departed for 18 after edging a wide delivery from Lahiru Kumara through to the wicketkeeper.
India had started the Test positively after captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat, but Sri Lanka fought back by claiming two early wickets.
India eye series victory
India entered the second Test with a 1-0 lead after defeating Sri Lanka by 165 runs in the opening Test at Galle.
The visitors need only to avoid defeat in Colombo to secure a series victory.
India also handed a Test debut to spin-bowling all-rounder Saransh Jain, who replaced Kuldeep Yadav. Gill said at the toss that Kuldeep was unavailable because of an infection.
Sri Lanka, meanwhile, made two changes, with Kamil Mishara making his Test debut after replacing Nishan Madushka.
The heated exchange between Jaiswal and Fernando added another flashpoint to an otherwise competitive opening session in Colombo.
