Yashasvi Jaiswal could face an ICC sanction after being involved in a heated altercation with Asitha Fernando during the second Test in Colombo on Sunday, with the Indian opener's helmet making contact with the Sri Lankan pacer's forehead.

India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak felt the incident may have occurred in the "heat of the moment" but maintained that Jaiswal should not have made body contact with the opposition player.

"I think they must have said something to him and it might have happened in the heat of the moment. Obviously, Jaiswal, I don't think he should have been so close (to Fernando), but that happens when you are in the heat of the moment," Kotak said at the post-day press conference.

SL vs IND, 2nd Test Day 1: Highlights | Scorecard

The fracas took place immediately after Fernando dismissed Jaiswal for 45 with a nip-backer in the first session at the SSC ground. As the left-hander was walking off the field, Fernando gave him a send-off, prompting Jaiswal to turn back and confront the Sri Lankan pacer.

Jaiswal's helmet then made contact with Fernando's forehead as the two players engaged in a heated verbal exchange, before Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva intervened to separate them.

The incident could bring Jaiswal under the ambit of the ICC Code of Conduct, with Article 2.12 dealing with "inappropriate physical contact" with another player during an international match.

Sri Lanka fast bowling coach Ryan van Niekerk said it was the match referee's responsibility to assess the incident, with Andy Pycroft overseeing the Test.

"The verbals are probably an overflow of emotion. I'll leave that to the match referee to deal with," van Niekerk said.

If Jaiswal is found guilty of a Level 1 offence, the punishment could range from an official reprimand to a fine of up to 50 per cent of his match fee, along with one or two demerit points.

The incident came after Jaiswal had made a positive start to his innings before Fernando produced a delivery that nipped back sharply to beat the left-hander's defence and bring his dismissal.

With the match referee expected to assess the circumstances surrounding the altercation, Jaiswal could now face disciplinary action depending on the findings of the ICC match officials.

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