Jaiswal, Fernando fined 25 percent of match fee for heated exchange

DUBAI: India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka seamer Asitha Fernando were on Monday fined 25 per cent of their match fee for an on-field altercation on day one of the second Test in Colombo.

The duo was also handed a demerit point each.

The players were involved in a confrontation after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal in the 17th over of India's first innings. Jaiswal walked towards Fernando and the two exchanged words, following which Fernando moved his head towards Jaiswal. In response, Jaiswal leant in, resulting in their heads making contact.

"Both players admitted the offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Andy Pycroft of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for formal hearings," ICC said in a statement.

"Both players were found to have breached Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person (including a spectator during an International Match).

"In addition to this, one demerit point each has been added to the disciplinary records of Fernando and Jaiswal, both of whom did not have any previous offences in the preceding 24-month period," the statement added.

Before start of play on day two, Jaiswal had defended his actions saying "If you don't know what he said then please don't make your judgment if anyone cross the line we need to let them know this India will fight and reply".

On-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Rod Tucker and fourth umpire Prageeth Rambukwella levelled the charge.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.