Indian wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant's on-field antics on Day three of the ongoing first Test against England in Leeds might cost him a potential ICC ban. The southpaw was spotted having a heated clash over an umpire's verdict regarding a ball change request on the first session of play on Day three. The incident panned out after the second last delivery of the 61st over when Mohammed Siraj was hit for a boundary by England's vice-captain Harry Brook's ramp shot over the slip cordon. Leading to the wicketkeeper-batter losing his cool.
The southpaw animatedly protested to the umpire, but his plea fell on deaf ears as the umpires were not ready to change the ball. The situation got worse when the 27-year-old, unhappy with the ball's condition, approached Australian umpire Paul Reiffel for inspection. Despite the umpire's thorough examination of the ball, the Indian vice-captain persisted in his appeal for a change of ball.
Upon the rejection of the umpire, Pant reacted by throwing the ball in anger and headed onto his wicketkeeping position, prompting a huge roar of boos from the Leeds crowd.
It was sheer frustration on Rishabh Pant's part in the ball change appeal: Ravi Shastri
Cricketer-turned-expert Ravi Shastri, who was watching the incident live, stated that it was sheer frustration on Rishabh Pant's part in his appeal for a ball change.
"When you start wanting to change the ball now and then, it's a clear indication that nothing's happening. We want something to happen. And that was frustration from Pant."
Former England player Mark Butcher responded by saying, " I am not sure there was any need for that. (We) know that he's a showman, and part of that probably to get a reaction from the crowd, but I am not sure Paul Reiffel appreciated it much."
The wicketkeeper-batter's antics could potentially violate two particular articles of the ICC Code of Conduct. Article 2.8 addresses dissent at an umpire's verdict, which could be classified as either a Level 1 or Level 2 offense, particularly under clause (a) for showing extreme unhappiness and clause (h) for engaging in a sustained discussion about the verdict.
The second possible breach of law falls under Article 2.9, which specifically prohibits "throwing a ball at or near an umpire in an inappropriate way." This offense also carries potential Level 1 and Level 2 sanctions.
Despite umpire Reiffel's rejection of the change of ball, Indian skipper Shubman Gill and pacer Jasprit Bumrah were spotted discussing the issue with match officials.
