ICC could reprimand Rishabh Pant for his outburst at umpire on Day 3 of India vs England Test

Day 3 of the opening Test at Headingley staged significant drama. Players are required to toil hard in the longer formats. Meanwhile, surfaces like the one prepared in Leeds for the India vs England Test test the patience of the fielding team even more. The hapless situation of the bowlers on the dead pitch of Headingley on the third day triggered the Indian players to push for the new ball. However, despite requesting the cherry multiple times, the on-field umpire, Paul Reiffel, denied their request repeatedly. One such denial forced a frustrated reaction out of the vice-captain and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant. However, the momentary loss of control over his reaction could now lead Pant to face the ire of the ICC.

Throwing the ball in frustration on Day 3 of the India vs England Test at Headingley could cost Rishabh Pant significantly

Rishabh Pant finds himself in potential trouble with the ICC after a heated confrontation with on-field umpire Paul Reiffel on Day 3 of the ongoing first India vs England Test in Leeds. The altercation may result in sanctions, as Pant’s actions are believed to have breached not just one, but two sections of the ICC Code of Conduct. His conduct drew sharp remarks from former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Mark Butcher during the live broadcast, both labelling the episode “needless.”

The incident occurred during the 61st over of England’s first innings on Sunday. Harry Brook had just dispatched a boundary off Mohammed Siraj when Pant expressed his displeasure with the ball’s condition. He approached the on-field umpire for an inspection. Although Reiffel examined the ball using the gauge and found no issue with its shape, Pant was evidently unimpressed. In what appeared to be a moment of frustration, he flung the ball onto the ground and walked away abruptly, prompting a chorus of boos from the Leeds crowd.

"I'm not sure there was any need for that. (We) know that he's a showman and part of that is probably in order to get a reaction from the crowd, but I'm not sure Paul Reiffel appreciated it very much," Bucher reacted to Pant's antics from the commentary box.

Now, Pant’s reaction could amount to a violation of two distinct articles under the ICC code of conducts. The first relates to dissent where a particular clause covers excessive or visible displays of disappointment and extended arguments with the umpire regarding a decision. Such infractions could be classified as either a Level 1 or Level 2 offense. In addition, Pant may also be held in another breach, which addresses the inappropriate or potentially dangerous act of throwing cricket equipment, including the ball, toward or near players, umpires, match officials, or other individuals during an international game.

The ball issue didn’t end there for India, as both Shubman Gill and Jasprit Bumrah were seen engaging the officials repeatedly in follow-up discussions about it. Pant's confrontation with Reiffel happened after Bumrah had previously made a similar request. Overall, the visitors made several desperate demands for the ball to be changed as the condition didn't aid the bowlers at all. While Reiffel passed the ball through the gauge at every request, the umpire didn't budge on his decision of not handing them a new ball before the allotted slot. At stumps on Day 3, India stood at 90 for 2, holding a 96-run lead in the match at Headingley.l