Former India cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for letting players off the hook easy despite physical altercations on the field. In the ongoing Colombo Test, Yashasvi Jaiswal had headbutted Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando after the latter’s remark during a send-off. Earlier, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi had a physical altercation during a One-Day series between India A and Sri Lanka A.
“Dear ICC & BCCI. Vaibhav for Ind A recently & now Jaiswal… if you keep letting them get away with such behaviour, you train them to repeat such behaviour. It’s not good for the sport & crucially their own future too,” Manjrekar posted on X (formerly Twitter).
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Jaiswal and Fernando have been fined 25 per cent of their match fees and handed one demerit point each. ICC in their official statement, said that Fernando had moved his head towards Jaiswal as well. However, new footage showed otherwise.
Renowned commentator Harsha Bhogle had criticised Jaiswal as well as he breached the ICC Code of Conduct. Jaiswal replied on the social media post, saying that people should not draw conclusions when they don’t know what Fernando said during the send-off which led to the unfortunate incident.
What did ICC say on the matter?
The ICC booked Jaiswal and Fernando for breaching Article 2.12 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel. The breach relates to player making an inappropriate physical contract with a player, player support personnel, umpire, match referee or any other person.
“The India batter walked towards Fernando and the two exchanged words, after which Fernando moved his head towards Jaiswal. In response, Jaiswal leant in, resulting in their heads making contact,” the ICC said.
India enforce follow-on
Meanwhile, skipper Shubman Gill has enforced follow-on on Day 4 of the second Test in Colombo. Despite Sonal Dinusha’s century, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 290. Debutant Saransh Jain claimed two wickets with the new ball in the first session of Day 4. With rain expected to play spoilsport, India would look to bowl out Sri Lanka and win by an innings or chase down a small target.