New Delhi, Aug 26 — Former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar has criticised the International Cricket Council’s handling of the altercation between Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando during the second Test in Colombo, saying leniency over such incidents could encourage players to repeat similar behaviour.
Manjrekar, who has previously spoken out against on-field misconduct, took to social media to express his concern while referring to Jaiswal’s incident as well as a recent controversy involving India’s young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
“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.
Jaiswal and Fernando were involved in a heated exchange after the Indian opener was dismissed during the second Test against Sri Lanka. The confrontation escalated when Jaiswal’s helmet struck Fernando’s forehead.
The ICC subsequently imposed a fine of 25 per cent of the match fee and one demerit point on both players for their involvement. Jaiswal later clarified his actions following criticism of the confrontation.
Manjrekar’s comments also brought attention to the recent controversy involving 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi during India’s A team’s engagements against Sri Lanka A.
Sooryavanshi was involved in a physical altercation with Sri Lanka A player Vishen Halambage after a match. Manjrekar had strongly criticised the incident and said at the time that, had he been part of the India A management, he would have dropped Sooryavanshi for the following game to send a clear message that physical confrontations cannot be accepted.
Meanwhile, Jaiswal himself responded to criticism of his confrontation with Fernando after commentator Harsha Bhogle discussed the incident in a video posted on Instagram.
“If you don’t know what he said, then please don’t make your judgement. If anyone crosses the line, we need to let them know this India will fight and reply,” Jaiswal wrote in the comments section.