Ishant, Prasad in war of words

Colombo, August 31

Speedster Ishant Sharma was again involved in an altercation with Sri Lankan players during the fourth day of the third Test on Monday.

The incident happened in the 76th and final over of India’s second innings, which was being bowled by Dhammika Prasad.

Prasad bowled a couple of bouncers which Sharma left alone and had a smile for the Lankan pacer. A bit agitated, Prasad bowled the third bouncer, which was illegal and promptly signalled a no-ball by the umpire.

Having exhausted his quota of the two bouncers for an over, Prasad pitched one up and Ishant cut it towards point region for a single. As he ran past Prasad, he started tapping his helmet with an obvious gesture to the fast bowler to try and hit him on the head.

Once the run was completed, Prasad had a few words for Ishant, who was in no mood to back out and walked up to him.

Just when they were exchanging words angrily, Dinesh Chandimal, while walking by, grazed Ishant’s shirt and uttered some words, which got Ravichandran Ashwin agitated.

Ashwin drew the attention of umpires Rod Tucker and Nigel Llong who then called up Angelo Mathews to tell him to calm his players down. Pretty angry with what had happened, Prasad deliberately overstepped and bowled a fourth bouncer to Ishant after which he took a single.

The final delivery of the over saw Prasad dismissing Ashwin. Ishant was trudging towards the pavilion and Prasad ran towards him and said a few words more.

Yesterday, Ishant was involved in an argument with Kusal Perera and Rangana Herath. Ishant termed his argument with Perera as friendly banter. He had been fined 65 per cent of his match fee for a previous showdown in the second Test. — PTI