Fast bowler Ishant Sharma was again involved in an altercation with Sri Lankan players during India's second innings on Day 4 of the third Test in Colombo, on Monday, August 31.
The incident occurred in the 76th and final over of India's second innings, which was bowled by Dhammika Prasad.
Prasad bowled a couple of bouncers which Ishant left alone and had a smile for the Lankan pacer.
Seemingly agitated, Prasad bowled a third bouncer, which was illegal and promptly signalled a no ball by the umpire.
Having exhausted his quota of two bouncers for the over, Prasad pitched one up and Ishant cut it towards point for a single. As Ishant ran past Prasad, he started tapping his helmet in an obvious gesture to the bowler to try and hit him on the head.
Once the run was complete, Prasad had a few words for Ishant, who was in no mood to back out and walked up to him.
While they angrily exchanged words, Dinesh Chandimal, while passing by, grazed Ishant's shirt and also had a few unprintable words for Ishant, following which Ravichandran Ashwin drew umpires Rod Tucker and Nigel Llong's attention. The umpires summoned skipper Angelo Mathews to tell him to calm his players down.
Still angry, Prasad deliberately overstepped and bowled a fourth bouncer to Ishant after which the batsman took a single.
The final delivery of the over saw Prasad dismissing Ashwin.
As Ishant ran back towards the pavilion, Prasad sprinted behind him and the two bowlers apparently had a few words to say to each other.
After he had Upal Tharanga and Chandimal caught in the Sri Lankan innings, Ishant had an aggressive show of triumph, hitting his own head after Chandimal was dismissed.
On Sunday, Ishant was involved in an argument with Kusal Perera and Rangana Herath. Ishant termed his argument with Perera as friendly banter. He was fined 65 per cent of his match fee for a previous showdown in the second Test.
If he is reprimanded again, he would earn a one Test suspension.
