Ishant Sharma, Dhammika Prasad, Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne charged for breaching ICC Code of Conduct

Umpires had to step in to prevent things from going out of hand yesterday

Sri Lankan trio of Dhammika Prasad, Dinesh Chandimal and Lahiru Thirimanne has been charged by the ICC along with Indian pacer Ishant Sharma for violating the player’s Code of Conduct, ESPNCricinfo reports. The details of the quantum of punishment will be announced at the end of the third Test today evening.

Ishant was fined 65% of his match fees from the second Test that the visitors won after his send-offs to Chandimal and Thirimanne, two of the players from the host nation who have been charged this time around. While the Sri Lankan players involved could escape with a fine and a warning, Ishant could find himself in hot water as those two Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct meant that he was facing the prospect of getting banned for 2 ODIs or one Test if he has another breach in the next twelve months.

In spite of his brilliant bowling performances, Ishant has been making the news for his angry reactions as well that certainly hasn’t gone down well with Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar.

"Ishant showing passion is very good, but he must control himself because he is the leading bowler,” Gavaskar said after the second Test, as reported by NDTV. Ishant was not paying attention to those words though it seems.

In fact, the series decider at the SSC Colombo has been marred with a spate of ugly incidents that has surely put a black mark on India’s excellent showing with the bat and ball. Ishant was involved in a verbal duel with Kusal Perera and Rangana Herath in the Sri Lankan first innings as well, but the most controversial of these moments occurred yesterday when Ishant and Prasad, the most successful bowlers for their respective sides in the match, were involved in an ugly spat.

Ishant’s entry to the middle was welcomed with three bouncers on the trot by Prasad who was clearly looking to get under the skin of the tall pacemen whose delivery had resulted in him being retired hurt in the first innings after a delivery hit his left hand. Ishant responded with a wry smile after the third delivery, but after steering the next ball away for a single, he gestured to Prasad to have a crack at his head, by tapping his helmet.

Prasad took strong exception to the jibe and was joined by Chandimal and Thirimanne as the trio started engaging in a verbal duel with the 6ft 4in bowler. The umpires had to step in before things went out of hand but unfortunately from the spectator’s point of view, it was not the end of affairs between the players.

Ravichandran’s dismissal at the other end meant the end of the Indian innings and Prasad decided to carry on his war of words with Ishant who was heading back to the dressing room.

Rohit Sharma trying to play down the whole incident said, as reported by Cricbuzz: "They (Dhammika and Ishant) are good friends off the field. I just saw them have a cup of tea outside." The sport’s governing body though isn’t in the mood for a joke clearly.

Chandimal, Sharma, Thirimanne & Prasad charged for breaching ICC Code of Conduct. Details to be announced after the conclusion of the Test.

— ICC Media (@ICCMediaComms) September 1, 2015