COLOMBO: India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka fast bowler Asitha Fernando were involved in a heated on-field confrontation during the opening session of the second Test at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Sunday.

The incident occurred in the 17th over after Fernando bowled Jaiswal for 45. Following an animated send-off from the Sri Lankan pacer, Jaiswal initially walked away before turning back to confront him. The two players came close and exchanged words before the Sri Lanka captain intervened to separate them.

Jaiswal had struck three boundaries in the over prior to his dismissal. At 16.6 overs, Fernando delivered a length ball from round the wicket that curved inward, catching Jaiswal's inside edge as he attempted an off-side punch, redirecting the ball onto the stumps. Jaiswal's 45 came off 53 balls and featured nine boundaries.

India reached 66/2 by the end of the morning session after captain Shubman Gill won the toss and elected to bat first. The visitors recorded stands of 37 and 29, losing both openers, KL Rahul and Jaiswal. India currently leads the two-Test series 1-0 following a 165-run victory in the first match at Galle.

Key team changes for the second Test include:

• Sri Lanka: Kamil Mishara made his Test debut, replacing Nishan Madushka. Pasindi Sooriyabandara retained his spot after serving as a concussion substitute for the injured Dinesh Chandimal in the opening Test.
• India: Spin-bowling allrounder Saransh Jain made his Test debut, replacing Kuldeep Yadav. Jain brings a record of 2,223 runs and 188 wickets in first-class cricket.