The second Test between India and Sri Lanka got off to a very tense and dramatic start on Day 1 and Yashasvi Jaiswal was right in the middle of it. Everything started when he was batting well. He had just smashed Sri Lankan fast bowler Asitha Fernando for three fours in just four balls. But on the next ball, Jaiswal got out for 45 runs after the ball hit his bat and crashed onto his own stumps.
As Yashasvi Jaiswal started walking back to the Indian dressing room, Asitha Fernando gave him an aggressive and heated send-off. This made the Indian opener very angry. He stopped, turned around and charged back towards Asitha Fernando. The two players started arguing and exchanging words. In anger, Yashasvi Jaiswal then headbutted Asitha Fernando. The situation could have become much worse but Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva quickly came in between them and separated the two players.
Later, famous commentator Harsha Bhogle shared a video and said that Yashasvi Jaiswal needs to control his temper.
On Monday morning, Yashasvi Jaiswal replied to that video. He made it clear that he feels his reaction was completely justified. In his message, he suggested that the bowler had said something very offensive to him which provoked him. He also tells people and critics not to judge him without knowing the full story, adding that if someone crosses the line against India, the team will not stay quiet and will give a strong reply.
Here is Yashasvi Jaiswal’s post:
After the day’s play ended, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak supported Yashasvi Jaiswal. He said that the Sri Lankan player must have said something to provoke him and that it happened in the heat of the moment. He also added that Yashasvi Jaiswal should not have gone so close to the bowler but these things happen during an intense game.
From the Sri Lankan side, their fast bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk said that such arguments are just a result of too many emotions on the field and that it is now up to the match referee to handle the incident.
The match referee for this game is Andy Pycroft. He may take action under Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which is about “inappropriate physical contact” with another player during an international match. If Yashasvi Jaiswal is found guilty, this is considered a Level 1 offence. The punishment for this can be anything from an official warning to a fine of up to 50% of his match fee, along with 1 or 2 demerit points.
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