NEW DELHI: Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando were involved in a heated exchange during the first session of the second Test in Colombo on Sunday, with the India opener confronting the bowler after receiving an animated send-off.
Jaiswal had been well set on 45 when Fernando finally found a way through his defence in the 17th over. The Sri Lankan pacer celebrated emphatically after dismissing the batter and appeared to exchange words with him.
Jaiswal and shee lanka player fight 😯😯😯😯#indvssl #jaiswal pic.twitter.com/he9cIrZZkp
— Mahesh_Gurjar🇮🇳 (@Mahesh_gurjar0) August 23, 2026
Jaiswal initially walked away but then turned back towards Fernando, leading to a tense confrontation between the two players. The pair came close to each other and exchanged more words, with the situation appearing to verge on physical contact before the Sri Lanka captain intervened and separated them. The incident added an unexpected flashpoint to an otherwise absorbing opening session at the Sinhalese Sports Club.
Fernando gets the big wicket
Fernando had endured an expensive over immediately before Jaiswal’s dismissal, with the India opener striking three boundaries. But the pacer responded with a delivery that eventually ended the left-hander’s stay.
16.6 overs: Asitha Fernando to Yashasvi Jaiswal, out bowled. Fernando delivered a length ball from round the wicket that curved back in. Jaiswal looked to punch through the off side but got a thick inside edge, with the ball ricocheting onto the stumps.
Jaiswal departed for 45 off 53 balls, having struck nine fours. The wicket was particularly valuable for Sri Lanka as both India openers were back in the pavilion during the opening session.
