Rishabh Pant, the Indian wicket-keeper batsman, has been officially reprimanded by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the ongoing Headingley Test against England. The incident occurred on Day 3 of the match and relates to showing dissent at an umpire's decision.
Specifically, Pant was found to have violated Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which addresses "showing dissent at an Umpire's decision during an International Match." In addition to the reprimand, one demerit point has been added to Pant's disciplinary record. This is his first offense within a 24-month period.
The incident unfolded during the 61st over of England's first innings. At the time, Harry Brook and Ben Stokes were at the crease. Pant was observed engaging in a discussion with the on-field umpires, Chris Gaffaney and Paul Reiffel, regarding the condition of the ball. Pant believed the ball warranted a replacement. However, after the umpires inspected the ball using a ball gauge, they determined that it did not need to be changed. Pant reacted to this decision by throwing the ball on the ground in front of the umpires, an action that was deemed as dissent. The third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and the fourth umpire Mike Burns were also involved in levelling the charges.
Following the incident, Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of ICC Match Referees proposed a sanction, which Pant accepted. Consequently, a formal disciplinary hearing was not required.
According to the ICC's guidelines, Level 1 breaches of the Code of Conduct can result in a minimum penalty of an official reprimand. The maximum penalty can be up to 50% of the player's match fee, along with one or two demerit points.
Despite this disciplinary action, Pant has had a strong performance in the Headingley Test. He scored centuries in both innings.
This incident occurred ahead of Day 5, with England requiring 350 runs to win and all ten wickets in hand.
