Yashasvi Jaiswal was involved in a fiery confrontation with Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando on Day One of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. The exchange took place after Fernando clean-bowled Yashasvi Jaiswal in the seventeenth over, forcing Sri Lankan fielders to step in.
India won the toss and chose to bat first in Colombo on Sunday, August 23. The visiting team took a 1-0 lead in the series after a dominant victory in Galle. However, Sri Lanka struck early, dismissing both Indian openers as the visitors slipped to 66 for two inside 17 overs during the morning session on Day 1.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando Involved in Heated Exchange After Wicket
Yashasvi Jaiswal looked in good touch before his dismissal, scoring 45 off 53 balls with nine boundaries. He attacked Asitha Fernando by hitting three boundaries before the Sri Lankan pacer produced a sharp response on the final delivery.
Fernando bowled from around the wicket and a good-length delivery outside off. Yashasvi Jaiswal stayed rooted in his crease and tried to punch through the off side, but the ball nipped back and took the inside edge before crashing into the off stump.
Asitha Fernando celebrated the wicket with an animated send-off, and Jaiswal appeared unhappy with the exchange. As the Indian opener walked towards the dressing room, he turned back and approached the Sri Lankan pacer, leading to a heated verbal exchange between the two players.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando came close and engaged in some pushing and shoving. Kamindu Mendis and the Sri Lankan players quickly stepped in to separate them.
Body contact between Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando.. #SLVIND pic.twitter.com/w3Q905WUIf
— Nibraz Ramzan (@nibraz88cricket) August 23, 2026
Lahiru Kumara Dismisses KL Rahul After Impressive Start in Colombo
Lahiru Kumara provided Sri Lanka with an early breakthrough by dismissing KL Rahul at the Sinhalese Sports Club. Rahul looked comfortable in defence and scored 18 off 33 balls before poking Kumara's outside-off delivery.
Rahul tried to take control of the pace attack when Kumara bowled a wide, full delivery outside off. The Indian opener went for a cut without moving his feet properly and edged the ball behind. Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dickwella completed the catch to end the 37-run opening partnership.
Devdutt Padikkal then joined Yashasvi Jaiswal at the crease. Padikkal was India's standout batter in the first Test, scoring 167 in the first innings and 44 in the second during India's 165-run victory in Galle. However, he struggled for timing early in Colombo and was dropped twice.
Saransh Jain Receives Maiden India Test Cap in Colombo
Earlier in the morning, Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Saransh Jain received his maiden India Test cap. The 33-year-old earned his debut after his impressive first-class record with both bat and ball over more than a decade.
Jain has played 54 first-class matches, scoring 2,223 runs at an average of 31.75 with 14 fifties and two centuries. With his off-spin, he has taken 188 wickets at an average of 27.30, including 10 five-wicket hauls and best figures of 6/75.
During the 2025-26 Ranji Trophy season, Jain scored 518 runs in 12 innings at an average of 57.55, including three fifties and a century. He also took 30 wickets in 13 innings at an average of 20.43, with best figures of 6/75.
Jain became India's oldest Test debutant in the 21st century. Before him, Robin Singh was the oldest Indian to make his Test debut in the modern era, doing so at 35 against Sri Lanka in 1998.
Also read: Why Kuldeep Yadav is not playing 2nd Test vs Sri Lanka
