India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant has been reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for his antics on Day three of the first Test against England in Leeds. The southpaw showed dissent to a verdict by on-field umpire Paul Reiffel regarding ball change. Despite the umpire being steadfast in his decision about not changing the ball, the wicketkeeper-batter persisted in changing the ball.
When eventually the umpire denied it, the southpaw was spotted throwing the ball in anger and went back to his keeping position. This incident has violated Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, causing a dermit point being a black mark to his disciplinary record. The incident took place in the 61st over of the England innings when Harry Brook was going great guns against Mohammed Siraj. In an act to get the lost momentum back, the wicketkeeper-batter went to Reiffel, but his efforts were not fruitful as the umpires decided to continue with the old ball.
The charges were brought forward by match officials, including both on-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Reiffel, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, and fourth umpire Mike Burns. This marks the vice-captain's first offense in 24 months.
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Rishabh Pant admits to the offense without a disciplinary hearing
It is to be noted that Rishabh Pant has accepted the charges leveled against him without requiring a disciplinary hearing of the offense and sanction imposed by Richie Richardson, who serves on the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees. Under the ICC's disciplinary guidelines, Level 1 breaches carry specific penalties. These include capital punishment of the person involved or can extend to a full penalty of 50 percent player's match fee, which includes one or two dermit points.
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