Rishabh Pant Throws Ball in Frustration After Umpire Denies Ball Change; Bumrah, Gill Criticized for 'Irritating the Umpire'

Rishabh Pant’s emotions spilled over during the first hour of play on Day 3 of the Headingley Test, as the India wicketkeeper showed visible frustration over the condition of the ball — and the umpire’s refusal to replace it.

The flashpoint came when on-field umpire Chris Gaffaney rejected Jasprit Bumrah’s request for a ball change, ruling the ball still fit for play after checking it with the gauge. Not satisfied, Pant raised the issue again, but the umpire stood firm. Frustrated, Pant flung the ball backhanded toward bowler Mohammed Siraj, drawing loud jeers from the Headingley crowd. Though the throw wasn’t aimed at anyone and Siraj collected it without fuss, the act of dissent could draw attention from the match referee.

It was an uncharacteristic outburst from Pant, who has otherwise had a stellar match — both behind the stumps and with the bat, having scored a counter-attacking century in the first innings.

India’s frustration with the ball didn’t stop there. In the very next over, captain Shubman Gill also approached the umpire to question the ball’s condition. Bumrah returned soon after with another query. However, the officials remained unmoved.

On commentary, former India coach Ravi Shastri advised restraint. “It’s not worth going to the umpire again and again,” he said. “Shubman Gill should tell everyone to just wait for 4-5 overs and then try again. This is only going to irritate the umpires further.”

At the time, England were starting to gain momentum, with Harry Brook looking fluent at the crease. Just before Pant’s exchange with the umpire, Brook had pulled off a cheeky ramp shot over the gully for four, after previously charging down the track to unsettle Siraj’s rhythm. India responded with an aggressive field, crowding Brook with close-in catchers including silly mid-on and silly mid-off.

Earlier in the session, India got an early breakthrough when Prasidh Krishna dismissed Ollie Pope for 106. The England centurion edged a delivery outside off stump, and Pant completed a clean catch behind the stumps, giving Krishna his first wicket of the match after a tough second day.

India had posted 471 in their first innings, riding on centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Pant. However, the team collapsed dramatically in the lower order, losing seven wickets for just 41 runs.