Jaiswal-Ashita fined, demerit points added

The ICC has fined India's Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lankan pacer Ashita Fernando 25 percent of their match fees for their physical altercation on the first day of the Colombo Test. They have also been given one demerit point each.

Ashita dismissed Jaiswal off the last ball of the 17th over of India's innings in the morning session of the first day. Jaiswal, who was walking towards the dressing room, suddenly turned and walked towards Ashita. It is believed that she reacted in anger at a comment made during the Sri Lankan team's celebration.

The two then started talking and arguing. At one point, Ashita leaned her head towards Jaiswal. Jaiswal also leaned her head forward, causing the two to bump heads. The ICC has described the incident as a "physical altercation".

The incident is considered a breach of Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The maximum penalty for a Level-1 offence is a fine of 50 per cent of the match fee and one or two demerit points. However, a formal hearing was not required as both players pleaded guilty and accepted the punishment given by match referee Andy Pycroft.

After the video of the incident went viral, discussions on social media also started. Jaiswal commented on a post on the Instagram of cricket-based media outlet Cricbuzz and said that no one should be judged without knowing the background of the incident. He also gave a message that India knows how to respond if the limit is crossed.

Meanwhile, India is ahead on the field. When the second day of the Colombo Test was stopped due to rain, India had scored 475 runs for 8 wickets in 131.2 overs in the first innings. Devdutt Parikkal scored a century, and Dhruv Jurel was unbeaten on 95 runs.