Yashasvi Jaiswal might have issued a justification for his actions on the opening day of the second Test against Sri Lanka, but the opening batter continues to face flak for seemingly ‘headbutting’ Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando after being provoked. The incident happened on the opening day of the Colombo Test, where tempers flared between Jaiswal and Fernando after the former was bowled by the speedster. The opener was given a send0-off and Jaiswal responded by charging back and almost coming to blows.
On Monday, before the start of the second day, Jaiswal responded to the criticism with a social media comment, defending his actions and saying that no one knew what was actually said to him in the middle. He ended his comment by saying that “India knows how to give back.” On Monday, the ICC also sanctioned Jaiswal and Fernando, fining each player 25 per cent of their match fees. Moreover, both players were also given one demerit point each.
However, the justification hasn’t cut enough mustard for the experts as the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara, WV Raman, and Saba Karim lashed out at Jaiswal for his “unacceptable actions.”
Also Read: Yashasvi Jaiswal punished for Colombo headbutt: ICC slaps India opener with double whammy; Asitha Fernando pulled up too
“It’s not an ideal visual. As a player, you need to control your emotions. Sometimes you do get angry. I can understand that till the time he was disappointed, or he was when he was having a chat, at that time. I think that’s acceptable till then. It is all fine, but the moment it got to a point where both of them were going against each other, there was a body contact, which is not acceptable on the field,” Pujara said on the Sony Sports Network.
On the other hand, Raman said there was more to it than met the eye, as the opener might have been frustrated by not converting his starts so far in the series against Sri Lanka.
“There’s always a little bit of exchange of words on a cricket field. It happens, and especially after a wicket falls, but restraint is so important because if you don’t restrain yourself, you’re going to get in trouble, and there’s always that line that you can’t cross. He got out when he was shaping really well in the first Test. You don’t normally get run out like that in a Test match, and here once again, he was set, and he gets out to a delivery, which he could have played forward. He knows that he’s letting go of opportunities. So the little bit of frustration is coming out,” said Raman.
‘Not a contact sport’
Former selector Saba Karim said that players these days should perform better, as the sport is followed by so many youngsters, and hence the job of the current stars is to give a good account of themselves on the field.
“Someone should remind both of them that this is not a contact sport. It is cricket. You’re not supposed to headbutt each other, but I find it extremely purile. There’s no need for something like this on a cricket field. There’ll be times when a pace bowler or a bowler will get after you. One can always remain aggressive without getting into an act like this. I think it is unnecessary, and one should always remember that all such players are brand ambassadors of this lovely sport. So many youngsters are watching it,” said Karim.
Speaking of Jaiswal, he was dismissed for 45 in the first innings. He hit three boundaries in the Fernando over, but the pacer had the last laugh as his perfect nip-backer castled the stumps of the opening batter.