Yashasvi Jaiswal Engages in On-Field Verbal Battle With Asitha Fernando After Wicket
A serious dispute erupted between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando during the morning session of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The turning point came in the 17th over of India’s first innings, shortly after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal for 45 off 53 balls.
Fernando hit a good-length ball that moved swiftly off the pitch. The dismissal brought a stop to the left-hander’s promising start, which included nine boundaries in 53 balls.
Jaiswal attempted to hit aggressively on the off side, but the ball struck a heavy inside edge and bounced onto the stumps.
After taking the wicket, Fernando delivered an angry send-off to the leaving batter. Jaiswal halted in mid-walk to react to what he had heard before returning his gaze to the bowler. The two players faced off at close range, and Jaiswal appeared to make slight head contact with Fernando during the fight. Sri Lankan fielders reacted fast to separate the pair before the situation worsened.
Watch the clip here.
Jaiswal and shee lanka player fight 😯😯😯😯#indvssl #jaiswal pic.twitter.com/he9cIrZZkp
— Mahesh_Gurjar🇮🇳 (@Mahesh_gurjar0) August 23, 2026
At the time of writing, neither the ICC nor the BCCI had issued an official comment on any disciplinary proceedings.
What was the situation during the match that led to the altercation?
India choose to bat after winning the toss at the Sinhalese Sports Club. The morning session proved challenging for the visitors, as both openers returned to the pavilion before the intermission. Fernando dismissed Jaiswal, leaving India at 66 for 2.
KL Rahul had been dismissed earlier in the session for 18 runs after edging a wide delivery from Lahiru Kumara to the wicketkeeper. Devdutt Padikkal took over at the crease when Rahul left, and he overcame a nervous moment early in his bat when a thick edge sailed past the slip cordon without finding a fielder. With Jaiswal replaced by Fernando, India faced a difficult situation going into the afternoon session.
What changes did India make to their starting eleven for this Test?
India had a revised side for the second Test, with Saransh Jain getting his first Test cap. The visitors were obliged to make the change since Kuldeep Yadav was unable to attend owing to an infection. Captain Shubman Gill revealed Kuldeep’s absence during the toss before the game began on August 23, 2026.
