A fresh controversy erupted on the third day of the first Test match between India and England at Headingley, as Indian vice-captain Rishabh Pant lost his cool and threw the ball in frustration, following repeated rejections of ball-change requests by the umpire. During England’s first innings, Indian bowlers, including Mohammed Siraj, had asked umpire Chris Gaffaney multiple times to change the ball, citing that it had lost its shape and was not swinging. However, the umpire denied the request on every occasion, including a specific appeal during the 61st over, when Siraj was bowling to Harry Brook.
Rishabh Pant, who was observing the situation closely, grew visibly upset with the umpire's repeated denials. Frustrated, he walked up to the umpire to plead the case once more. When the appeal was again rejected, Pant reacted angrily and threw the ball down onto the pitch, an act caught on camera and now under scrutiny.
According to ICC’s Code of Conduct, specifically Article 2.8, any expression of dissent towards an umpire's decision—whether by action or gesture—can lead to disciplinary action, including fines or even a ban. Pant’s conduct is now being viewed as a possible Level 1 or 2 offense, and a penalty could follow after the match referee’s review.
Before Pant's outburst, Indian skipper Shubman Gill and pacer Jasprit Bumrah had also approached the umpires with similar requests for a ball change, claiming a lack of swing and visible deformation. But the umpires remained firm in their refusal throughout the innings. The incident has added tension to the already heated contest, which marks the beginning of India's World Test Championship 2025–27 campaign. The BCCI and team management have yet to issue an official statement on the matter, but disciplinary action against Pant seems imminent.