Yashasvi Jaiswal charges at Asitha Fernando after dismissal, butts heads with bowler as Colombo Test exchange turns ugly

Yashasvi Jaiswal was eventually dismissed for 36 off 45 balls, with nine boundaries.

Updated on: Aug 23, 2026, 12:08:36 IST

Written by Aratrick Mondal

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A tense exchange unfolded before lunch on Day 1 of the second and final Test between India and Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo, when Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando butt heads after the Indian batter’s dismissal.

India's Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a shot during the first day of the second Test cricket match between Sri Lanka and India (AFP)

It happened on the final ball of the 17th over after India opted to bat first on Sunday. Fernando jagged one back off a length and Jaiswal’s middle stump was pegged back via an inside edge. However, the beautiful delivery was followed by an ugly scene.

The Sri Lanka team broke into celebration, with Fernando pumped up after claiming the crucial wicket. Jaiswal began walking towards the pavilion, but as he passed the Sri Lankan players, he turned back, seemingly after hearing something from the field. One of the comments appeared to be picked up in the broadcasters' replays.

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Jaiswal then immediately charged towards the bowler, with the pair squaring up and butting heads.

If Fernando did indeed say something to Jaiswal during the send-off, it may have stemmed from what had happened in the three deliveries preceding the wicket. Jaiswal had taken Fernando apart with three consecutive boundaries — a sumptuous straight drive, an upper cut over the slips and a ferocious pull — before the bowler responded with a shorter delivery.

Jaiswal was eventually dismissed for 36 off 45 balls, with nine boundaries.

Earlier, India lost KL Rahul in the 11th over for 18.

Those were the only two wickets India lost before lunch, managing 88 runs in the first session, with captain Shubman Gill (11*) and Devdutt Padikkal (13*) still on strike.

India are looking to complete a series sweep in Colombo after winning the opening Test in Galle last week. The visitors made just one change to their XI, with 33-year-old Saransh Jain making his international debut in place of Kuldeep Yadav, who was rested after failing to fully recover from a viral infection. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, made two changes. Kamil Mishara was handed his debut cap after a stellar show for Sri Lanka in white-ball formats, while the other was Pasindu Sooriyabandara, who had earlier filled in for injured Dinesh Chandimal in the series opener.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aratrick Mondal
Aratrick Mondal is a senior sports journalist based in New Delhi. In his eight years as a sports writer, Aratrick has worked at leading media organisations, including The Times of India, Times Now, Zee, India TV and currently works at a senior position at Hindustan Times Digital. He writes on cricket, football, pickleball and tennis, among other sports. He has extensively covered India's evolving cricket landscape, the country's new-found love for private leagues such as Indian Pickleball League (IPBL), Ultimate Kho Kho League (UKK), Rugby Premier League (RPL) and several tennis leagues. He has closely covered emerging sports such as pickleball. His coverage of major franchise events lends an atmospheric flavor to his ground reports. His recent story on how SA20 (the domestic cricket league of South Africa) had opened up its grounds to create a carnival-like fan experience garnered major international attention, including appreciation from major cricketers. Tennis holds a special place in his heart. Aratrick has built a strong niche in analytical tennis stories—ranging from Grand Slam narratives and player profiles to tactical breakdowns and ranking trends. His long-form features often decode grand slams, career highs and lows of tennis greats and the upward trajectory of emerging stars. He also closely follows India's tennis landscape, having covered the Davis Cup, Bengaluru Open and Tata Open, among others. His reporting is backed by strong data capabilities, with hands-on experience using tools like Python, Tableau, and Excel to produce visually rich, insight-led stories. This data-first approach enhances accuracy, transparency, and trust. In leadership roles, he has managed editorial shifts, overseen homepage strategy, optimised SEO workflows, and mentored peers to deliver consistent, high-traffic journalism. He recently won the HT DigiStar award for the third quarter of financial year 2025-26. Aratrick is trusted for his balanced reportage, sound sourcing, and ability to translate complex sporting events into engaging narratives that speak to a wide audience. He believes sports is for everyone, not just for the enthusiasts and has a unique ability to bring people together - just like the sumptuous meals you'll often find him cooking on a weekend evening.Read More

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