Colombo: It has increasingly become a familiar sight to see Sri Lankan cricketers getting involved in controversies whenever they are on the verge of losing a match or series. One such incident involving Yashasvi Jaiswal occurred on Sunday, while another controversy erupted on Monday following an umpiring decision.
After Sri Lankan fast bowler Asitha Fernando dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal, he provoked the Indian batter, prompting Jaiswal to approach him and argue with him. Both players were subsequently fined 25 per cent of their match fees. The second incident involved Sri Lanka’s nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya.
Former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has particularly criticised the behaviour of the Sri Lankan players.
On Monday, India declared its innings at 9/503. Sri Lanka then lost its first wicket with just one run on the board, and controversy began even before the fall of its second wicket.
Sri Lanka finished the second day on Monday at 8/2. The issue was that both Sri Lankan batters did not want to continue playing, citing bad light. Manjrekar said in an interview, “There was enough sunlight to play and the ball was clearly visible, so the umpire allowed the game to continue. The two Sri Lankan batters lost their concentration while arguing about the decision, and shortly afterwards, spinner Manav Suthar dismissed Prabath Jayasuriya lbw. Normally, in cases of bad light, the umpires themselves give the batters the option of whether they want to continue playing or not. In the Colombo Test, however, the light was not poor, so the umpire allowed play to continue.”
One of the two umpires was Pakistan’s Ahsan Raza, while the other was Bangladesh’s Sharfuddoula. Manjrekar said in the interview, “The Sri Lankan batters themselves lost their focus on the game, and in the process, nightwatchman Prabath Jayasuriya lost his wicket. Manav Suthar is in excellent form and he trapped Jayasuriya perfectly to get him out.”
After being dismissed, Prabath Jayasuriya returned to the dressing room and threw away his gloves. Camera footage showed that the Sri Lankan players were extremely angry over the umpire’s decision.
However, it is also possible that after losing the first Test, the Sri Lankan players are now desperate to save the second Test and avoid being whitewashed 0-2.
ALSO READ: India Declare At 503/9 After Dhruv Jurel’s Century: Rain Disrupts Second Test