India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal has been fined 25 per cent of his match fees and handed one demerit point following his heated on-field clash with Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando on day one of the ongoing second Test match in Colombo.
India's Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka's Asitha Fernando exchange words during day one of the second cricket test match between Sri Lanka and India (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)
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The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Monday that both Jaiswal and Fernando have been sanctioned for breaching Level 1 of its Code of Conduct after their confrontation following the dismissal of the India batter.
Both players were found guilty of breaching Article 2.12, which covers “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person” during an international match.
What was the consequence for Yashasvi Jaiswal after the incident with Asitha Fernando in Colombo?
Yashasvi Jaiswal was fined 25 percent of his match fees and received one demerit point for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct due to inappropriate physical contact.
Why did experts criticize Jaiswal for his clash with Fernando during the Test match?
Experts criticized Jaiswal for crossing the line by escalating a verbal exchange into physical contact, emphasizing that while verbal banter is part of cricket, physical altercations are unacceptable.
How does the ICC Code of Conduct address physical contact between players?
The ICC Code of Conduct, specifically Clause 2.12, states that inappropriate physical contact between players during an international match can result in a Level 1 or Level 2 offence, which may include fines or official warnings.
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In addition to the fine, both players were also handed one demerit point each, which has been added to their disciplinary records. Neither player had committed any previous offence in the preceding 24 months.
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In addition to the fine, both players were also handed one demerit point each, which has been added to their disciplinary records. Neither player had committed any previous offence in the preceding 24 months.
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The incident happened on the final ball of the 17th over, just before lunch on Sunday. Jaiswal was dismissed after a short ball from Fernando jagged back into him and took an inside edge onto the stumps, moments after the India opener had smashed the bowler for three consecutive boundaries.
Jaiswal began walking towards the pavilion, but suddenly turned back and charged at Fernando, sparking a heated exchange before the two made head-to-head contact.
According to the ICC, Fernando “moved his head towards Jaiswal during the heated altercation” and, in response, “Jaiswal leaned in, resulting in their heads making contact”. Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva and other players intervened before the confrontation could escalate further.
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Both players admitted the breaches and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, meaning there was no need for a formal hearing. The on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Rod Tucker, and fourth umpire Prageeth Rambukwella had levelled the charges.
Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum fine of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.
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.
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Home/Cricket/Yashasvi Jaiswal punished for Colombo headbutt: ICC slaps India opener with double whammy; Asitha Fernando pulled up too
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