Prabath Jayasuriya reprimanded, demerit point for ICC Code breach in India Test
Synopsis
Three players sanctioned in a single Test — Jayasuriya for equipment abuse, Jaiswal and Fernando for banging heads on the field. The India-Sri Lanka second Test in Colombo is producing as many disciplinary headlines as cricketing ones, with Sri Lanka already in trouble at 8 for 2 chasing India's 503 for 9 declared.
Key Takeaways
Prabath Jayasuriya received an official reprimand and one demerit point for breaching Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct on 25 August .
He struck boundary wedges with his bat and threw his gloves after being dismissed by Manav Suthar as nightwatchman.
His DRS review failed — ball-tracking showed pad before bat, with 'umpire's call' on impact, leaving the dismissal intact.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando were each fined 25% of match fees and given a demerit point for a physical altercation in the 17th over .
All three players admitted their offences; no formal hearings were required in any case.
Sri Lanka ended Day 2 at 8 for 2 , chasing India's 503 for 9 declared .
Sri Lanka spinner Prabath Jayasuriya was handed an official reprimand and a demerit point on Tuesday, 25 August after breaching the ICC Code of Conduct following his dismissal on Day 2 of the second Test against India at the Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo. He becomes the third player sanctioned in this match alone.
What Jayasuriya Did
Jayasuriya was sent in as nightwatchman late in the day and was dismissed by left-arm spinner Manav Suthar. On his way back to the pavilion, he struck the boundary wedges with his bat and threw his gloves in visible frustration — acts that drew an immediate charge from the match officials.
He was found guilty of breaching Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which covers 'abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during an International Match.' The charge was levelled by on-field umpires Ahsan Raza and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, third umpire Rod Tucker, and fourth umpire Prageeth Rambukwella.
The Dismissal That Sparked the Outburst
Jayasuriya's frustration stemmed from a contentious LBW decision. He went for a review after being struck on the pad, but ball-tracking showed the delivery hit pad before bat, and the impact was 'umpire's call' on hitting — meaning the on-field verdict stood. Sri Lanka were reeling at 8 for 2 in reply to India's commanding 503 for 9 declared when stumps were drawn on Day 2.
No Hearing Required
Jayasuriya admitted to the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft, making a formal hearing unnecessary. The reprimand and demerit point are the minimum sanctions under Article 2.2 for a first-time offence.
Jaiswal and Fernando Also Sanctioned
Jayasuriya's sanction follows those handed to India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sri Lanka pacer Asitha Fernando earlier in the match. Both were fined 25 per cent of their match fees and received a demerit point each after a physical altercation in the 17th over.
The incident unfolded after Fernando clean-bowled Jaiswal with a delivery that darted into the left-hander. As Jaiswal walked back, a verbal exchange reportedly escalated and the two players banged heads before being quickly separated. The ICC found both in breach of Article 2.12, which relates to 'inappropriate physical contact with a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other person during an International Match.' Neither Jaiswal nor Fernando had accumulated any demerit points in the preceding 24 months. Both admitted their offences, and no formal hearing was held.
With three players sanctioned in a single Test, the India-Sri Lanka series has drawn scrutiny over on-field conduct — and the match is not yet over.
Point of View
In particular, crossed a line that verbal exchanges rarely do, and the ICC's swift response sends a signal. What is worth noting is that all three players accepted their sanctions without contest, suggesting the evidence was unambiguous. The broader question is whether the pressure of a high-stakes series — India's 503 for 9 declared had Sri Lanka's back firmly against the wall — contributed to the fraying of on-field discipline, a pattern that has surfaced in other tightly contested Asian Test series.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Prabath Jayasuriya reprimanded by the ICC?
Jayasuriya was reprimanded and handed a demerit point for hitting boundary wedges with his bat and throwing his gloves in anger after being dismissed during Day 2 of the second Test against India in Colombo. He was found guilty of breaching Article 2.2 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which covers abuse of cricket equipment or ground fixtures during an international match.
What happened during Jayasuriya's dismissal that led to the incident?
Jayasuriya, sent in as nightwatchman, was given out LBW off Manav Suthar's bowling. He opted for a DRS review, but ball-tracking confirmed the ball struck pad before bat, and the impact was 'umpire's call' on hitting — meaning the original decision stood. His visible frustration at the outcome led to the equipment-abuse incident.
Why were Yashasvi Jaiswal and Asitha Fernando sanctioned?
Jaiswal and Fernando were each fined 25 per cent of their match fees and given a demerit point after a physical altercation in the 17th over, during which the two players banged heads. The ICC found both in breach of Article 2.12, which relates to inappropriate physical contact during an international match.
Who was the match referee for the India-Sri Lanka second Test?
Andy Pycroft served as match referee and proposed the sanctions for all three players — Jayasuriya, Jaiswal, and Fernando. In each case, the player admitted the offence, and no formal hearing was required.
What was the match situation when Jayasuriya was dismissed?
Sri Lanka were in a difficult position at 8 for 2 at the close of Day 2, chasing India's first-innings total of 503 for 9 declared. Jayasuriya's dismissal in the final three overs of the day was Sri Lanka's second wicket of the evening session.
