India's opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was under the scanner for a possible breach of the ICC Code of Conduct after a heated exchange with Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando during the second Test at the SSC ground on Sunday.
The incident took place just after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal for 45 with a lovely nip-backer in the first session. As the Indian opener was walking off the pitch, Fernando gave him a send-off, which led Jaiswal to turn around and confront the Sri Lankan bowler.
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The exchange quickly turned heated, with Jaiswal and Fernando engaged in a verbal battle. During the confrontation, Jaiswal's helmet made contact with Fernando's forehead before Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva stepped in to separate the two players.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak suggested the incident may have happened in the “heat of the moment”, but maintained that Jaiswal should not have made physical contact with an opposition player.
“I think they must have said something to him and it might have happened in the heat of the moment. Obviously, Jaiswal, I don't think he should have been so close (to Fernando), but that happens when you are in the heat of the moment,” Kotak said in the post-day press conference.
Match referee Andy Pycroft could invoke Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which deals with “inappropriate physical contact” with another player during an international match.
If Jaiswal is found guilty of a Level 1 offence, the punishment could range from an official reprimand to a fine of up to 50% of his match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
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India ended Day 1 on 300 for 5, thanks to Devdutt Padikkal's masterful knock of 117 off 193 balls.
Despite Rishabh Pant being available to bat after retiring hurt on Day 1 due to a wrist injury, the Indian team management will be hoping that the lower-order batters can chip in with some useful runs and take the first-innings total closer to 400.
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