Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando were involved in an ugly on-field confrontation during the first session of the second Test between India and Sri Lanka in Colombo on Sunday.
The heated exchange came moments after Fernando dismissed the Indian opener for 45 off 53 balls.
The incident added plenty of drama to an otherwise steady start for India at the SSC, with Jaiswal and Fernando appearing to come close to a headbutt before players intervened and separated the two.
Jaiswal Hits Three Boundaries Before Dismissal
The confrontation had its roots in an eventful over from Fernando. Jaiswal had taken the Sri Lankan pacer apart, hitting three boundaries in the over before Fernando had the final say.
The left-hander had looked in good touch during his 45-run knock, but his innings eventually ended against the same bowler.
Fernando produced a delivery that nipped back into Jaiswal after pitching outside off stump. The India opener attempted to punch it through the off side but got a thick inside edge, with the ball deflecting onto the stumps.
Jaiswal's dismissal reduced India to 66/2 in the 17th over.
Fernando's Animated Send-Off Sparks Tension
After completing the dismissal, Fernando celebrated energetically with his Sri Lankan teammates. His animated send-off appeared to anger Jaiswal as the Indian batter began walking back towards the pavilion.
Jaiswal then turned around and returned towards Fernando, leading to a heated exchange between the two players.
The pair came extremely close to each other, with the confrontation appearing to verge on a headbutt before Sri Lankan players stepped in to pull Jaiswal away. Another player subsequently helped escort the Indian opener towards the dressing room.
The exact words exchanged between the two players were not immediately clear, but the body language from both sides showed the intensity of the confrontation.
The incident quickly became one of the major talking points from the opening session in Colombo, with footage of the confrontation circulating on social media.
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India Lose Two Early Wickets
The drama came during a session in which India lost two wickets after making a steady start.
KL Rahul was dismissed for 18 before Jaiswal followed for 45. Despite the setbacks, Shubman Gill and Devdutt Padikkal helped India move forward as the visitors reached 88/2 at lunch.
India had won the toss and elected to bat first on a surface expected to produce plenty of runs. Sanjay Manjrekar had described the pitch as one that could provide a run-fest, although the live grass on the surface could offer the new-ball bowlers some assistance early on.