Indian opening batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has responded to the criticism over his heated exchange with the Sri Lankan pacer Asitha Fernando on Day 1 of the second Test against Sri Lanka, which is currently underway in Colombo.
While responding to a video on Cricbuzz in which renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle spoke about the incident. However, Jaiswal was disappointed with Bhogle’s comments without entirely knowing what exactly happened.
“If you don’t know what he said then please don’t make your judgement if anyone cross the line we need to let them know this India will fight and reply (sic.),” said Jaiswal in the comment.
Delving into the details of the incident, Jaiswal was batting on 45 when Fernando dismissed him in the 17th over of the first innings. Fernando gave Jaiswal an animated send-off and appeared to exchange words with the batter. After initially walking away, Jaiswal later turned back towards the pacer and made physical contact with him.
Meanwhile, the former Indian cricketer Ajay Jadeja has sharply responded to the overall episode, slamming the Southpaw Indian batter.
“It is dangerous territory. There is no doubt about that. Physical contact is a different thing. In the last match, Jaiswal was on the other side. He was fielding, and he said things to Niroshan Dickwella, and we said that banter is nice as long as there is nothing wrong with your language,” Jadeja said on Sony Sports.
“The same thing happened, but if someone cannot laugh at himself, he shouldn’t laugh at others. If you can’t take it back, don’t say it to others either while standing on the ground,” he added.
On the other hand, Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also said that Jaiswal shouldn’t have got as close as he did to Fernando.
“I think maybe one of the bowlers may have commented something, and it was a heat-of-the-moment thing. Obviously, Jaiswal, I don’t think he should have gone so close, but that happens in the heat of the moment,” said Kotak at the end of the day’s play.
