Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Former Cricketers Condemn Jaiswal-Fernando Headbutt Incident
During a cricket match, Asitha Fernando got Yashasvi Jaiswal out.
Jaiswal walked toward Fernando, and they exchanged words.
Their heads then touched, causing other players to separate them.
Former cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara said players can be upset but must not make physical contact.
Saba Karim also said the incident was unnecessary.
Former player WV Raman said Jaiswal may have been frustrated because he had missed chances to score more runs recently.
The International Cricket Council punished both players.
Each player paid a quarter of his match fee and received one demerit point.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando made head-to-head contact after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal in Colombo.
The incident occurred during the opening day of the second India-Sri Lanka Test.
Cheteshwar Pujara said players may argue but must control their emotions and avoid physical contact.
Saba Karim called the confrontation unnecessary and said players should act as ambassadors for cricket.
The International Cricket Council fined both players 25% of their match fees and gave each one demerit point.
- Who
- India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando were involved; Cheteshwar Pujara, Saba Karim, and WV Raman commented on the incident.
- What
- Jaiswal and Fernando made head-to-head contact after Jaiswal was dismissed, resulting in disciplinary sanctions.
- When
- The incident happened on the opening day of the second Test; the sanctions were issued on Monday.
- Where
- During the second India-Sri Lanka Test in Colombo.
- Why
- Fernando gave Jaiswal a send-off, and Jaiswal appeared frustrated after another dismissal while struggling to produce big scores.
Criticism of the Contact
Context for Jaiswal's Frustration
Whether the confrontation was acceptable
Criticism of the Contact
Cheteshwar Pujara and Saba Karim said players must control their emotions and that head-to-head contact has no place in cricket.
Context for Jaiswal's Frustration
WV Raman said exchanges of words can occur after wickets and suggested Jaiswal's frustration was understandable, while also emphasizing the need for restraint.
Possible reason for Jaiswal's reaction
Criticism of the Contact
Saba Karim focused on the incident as unnecessary and said players should set a proper example for young viewers.
Context for Jaiswal's Frustration
WV Raman linked Jaiswal's frustration to being dismissed after getting set and to recent missed opportunities to make big scores; he did not endorse the physical contact.
- Match
- Second India-Sri Lanka Test in Colombo
- Jaiswal's score
- 45 in India's first innings
- Incident
- Jaiswal and Fernando exchanged words before making head-to-head contact
- ICC rule
- Article 2.12, concerning inappropriate physical contact during an international match
- Financial penalty
- Both players were fined 25% of their match fees
- Demerit points
- Jaiswal and Fernando each received one demerit point
- Previous offences
- Neither player had committed an offence in the previous 24 months
