In the high-stakes cauldron of Test cricket, emotions can boil over, and that is exactly what unfolded during Day 3 of the first Test between India and England at Headingley, Leeds. India’s vice-captain, Rishabh Pant, who is known for wearing his heart on his sleeve, found himself at the centre of a growing controversy that is now making waves across the cricket world.
It all began in the 63rd over of England’s innings, with Ben Stokes and Harry Brook at the crease. Pant, noticing something off with the condition of the Dukes ball, approached the umpire and requested a change.
Rishabh Pant throws the ball in anger after the umpire refused to change the ball
The Roorkee-born cricketer, Rishabh Pant felt the ball had gone out of shape, which is an entirely valid concern, especially considering how much swing and seam movement these red balls can lose when not in proper condition.
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Meanwhile, the umpire, as per standard protocol, checked the ball using the ring gauge. But despite Pant’s visible insistence and concern, the request was turned down in the first place. What followed next became the flashpoint. A visibly frustrated Rishabh Pant threw the ball away, and the video clip of the same garnered traction on social media portals.
If the ball was indeed out of shape, the umpire’s refusal may have affected the balance of the game. The flamboyant wicketkeeper-batsman chipped in with a scintillating century against England in the first innings. He took the bowling attack to the cleaners with ease and played shots quite sensibly. He recorded his seventh Test century with the help of 12 fours and six maximums.
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Team India posted 471 runs in the first innings, and Pant was one of the three centurions for the visitors, alongside Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill. Pant scored 134 off 178 balls during his stay at the crease and was trapped leg before wicket off Josh Tongue’s bowling in the second ball of the 108th over.
