When Rishabh Pant hurled the cricket ball onto the turf at Headingley on June 21, 2025, he didn’t just frustrate the umpire — he ignited a firestorm. The incident, occurring during Day 3 of the first Test between India and England, has landed the Indian vice-captain under formal review by the International Cricket Council for potential breaches of its Code of Conduct. The trigger? A rejected ball change request after Harry Brook’s boundary off Mohammed Siraj’s bowling, with England at 276-5 in reply to India’s 471. Umpire Paul Reiffel inspected the ball with a gauge and found it within legal wear limits — but Pant, visibly agitated, tossed it back in frustration. The crowd booed. The cameras caught it. And now, the ICC is deciding whether this was passion or misconduct.
The Headingley Flashpoint: Frustration or Flagrant Misconduct?
It wasn’t just the throw. It was the timing. The ball was only 52 overs old. The pitch, notoriously slow at Headingley, was offering little movement. England’s middle order — Brook, Ben Stokes, and Joe Root — were settling in. India’s bowlers, especially Siraj, had been working hard to break through. When Brook whipped a short ball over slips for four, Pant immediately signaled for a new ball, arguing the leather had lost its shine and seam integrity. Reiffel, a veteran of 57 Tests, stood firm. The ball gauge confirmed it. Pant’s reaction — a sharp, backhanded fling — was seen by many as theatrical. Others called it human. "When you start wanting to change the ball every now and then, it is a clear indication that nothing is happening," said Ravi Shastri on air. "We want something to happen. And that was frustration from Pant." Co-commentator Mark Butcher added, "I’m not sure there was any need for that. We know he’s a showman, but Reiffel didn’t appreciate it." The fallout was immediate. The umpires conducted three additional ball checks in the next over. England lost their next three wickets for just 18 runs — including Stokes, dismissed by Siraj moments after the incident. Was it coincidence? Or did Pant’s outburst shift momentum? Captain Shubman Gill and pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah were seen in heated discussion with officials right after, suggesting the team was already on edge.The Viral Moment: A Joke That Crossed Borders
Just weeks later, on July 5, 2025, at Edgbaston, Pant became an internet sensation — for an entirely different reason. In the 90th over, Siraj unleashed a 152 kph bouncer that cracked into the helmet of England’s debutant spinner Shoaib Bashir. Siraj rushed over, hand on heart, apologizing. Bashir nodded, smiled, and got back up. But behind the stumps, Pant’s stump mic picked up his dry, deadpan remark in Hindi: "Pehle maar raha hai, phir bol raha hai" — "First hitting, then apologizing." The clip exploded. Memes flooded Twitter. Indian fans laughed. English fans chuckled, then shrugged. It wasn’t malicious. It was cricket. It was Pant. That same day, Siraj took 6 for 78, dismantling England’s batting order and giving India a 180-run lead. The bouncer, the apology, the quip — it all became part of cricket’s modern folklore. Even England’s captain, Ben Stokes, later joked in a press conference: "If I’d heard that in the dressing room, I’d have bought Pant a beer. It’s cricket. You laugh, you move on."
The Unspoken Shadow: India-Pakistan Tensions and the Abandoned WCL Match
The controversy didn’t end with the Test. On July 21, 2025, during a press conference in Manchester ahead of the fourth Test, Siraj was asked about the abandoned India Champions vs Pakistan Champions World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025Birmingham match. The exhibition game — meant to be a goodwill event — was scrapped after Shikhar Dhawan, Harbhajan Singh, and the Pathan brothers withdrew, citing security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attacks. "I don’t know," Siraj said when pressed. Then, after a long pause: "I don’t know what to say." The silence spoke volumes. The Asia Cup 2025 remains uncertain. India and Pakistan are still scheduled to meet in the 2025 Women’s World Cup and 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup — but the men’s game hangs in the balance. Cricket, once a bridge between nations, now walks a tightrope.
What’s Next for Pant?
The ICC has 48 hours to review the Headingley footage and decide whether to charge Pant under Code of Conduct Article 2.1 (Player conduct) or Article 2.5 (Disrespect to an umpire). A Level 1 breach could mean a fine up to 50% of his match fee. A Level 2 — the more likely scenario — could mean a suspension of one Test or a 100% fine. His defense? That he was reacting to a pattern of ball manipulation, not disrespect. "He’s emotional. He’s passionate," said former India captain Rahul Dravid in an interview. "But the game has rules. And sometimes, the line between passion and provocation is drawn by the umpire’s call — not the player’s feelings." Pant’s career has always danced on that edge. He’s the man who hit six sixes in an over. Who played the scoop shot in the Ashes. Who led India to a historic win in Perth. But now, he’s also the man who threw a ball in Leeds — and the world watched.FAQ
What specific ICC rule could Rishabh Pant have broken?
Pant may be charged under ICC Code of Conduct Article 2.1 (Player conduct) for showing dissent or Article 2.5 (Disrespect to an umpire) for his visible frustration after a decision. Throwing the ball is not explicitly banned, but repeated or aggressive conduct after an umpire’s decision can be deemed unsporting. A Level 2 breach would trigger a fine or one-Test suspension.
Why did the umpire refuse the ball change at Headingley?
Umpire Paul Reiffel used an official ball gauge to measure the ball’s seam height and surface wear. It was within the ICC’s permitted limits (seam height under 1.5mm, no excessive roughness). The ball was only 52 overs old, and while it had lost some shine, it hadn’t reached the 75-over threshold for automatic replacement. Reiffel’s decision followed protocol — but Pant, under pressure, saw it as unfair.
Did Pant’s actions affect the match outcome?
Immediately after the incident, England lost three wickets for 18 runs, including Ben Stokes, dismissed by Siraj on the very next ball. While correlation isn’t causation, the psychological shift was palpable. The umpires conducted extra ball checks, disrupting England’s rhythm. India’s bowlers later said they felt "energized" by Pant’s intensity — even if they didn’t agree with the method.
Why did the India vs Pakistan Legends match get canceled?
The India Champions vs Pakistan Champions WCL 2025 match, scheduled for July 20 in Birmingham, was abandoned after several Indian players — including Shikhar Dhawan and Harbhajan Singh — withdrew due to security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attacks. Organizers cited "unavoidable logistical and safety challenges." The incident underscores how geopolitical tensions continue to bleed into cricket, even in exhibition matches.
Is there a precedent for a player being sanctioned for throwing a ball?
Yes. In 2019, Australia’s Pat Cummins received a Level 1 breach for throwing the ball back in frustration after a decision. In 2021, Pakistan’s Mohammad Amir was fined 15% of his fee for similar conduct. But Pant’s action was more theatrical — caught on multiple camera angles, with crowd reaction. The ICC may treat it as a higher-profile case, especially given his vice-captain status.
How has the public reacted to Pant’s viral comment?
The comment "Pehle maar raha hai, phir bol raha hai" went viral across India, Pakistan, and beyond. Indian fans loved its wit; English fans found it cheeky but harmless. Cricket legends like Sachin Tendulkar called it "classic Pant" — showing the game’s lighter side. Unlike the Headingley incident, there was no outcry. It was a moment of humor, not hostility — and it reminded everyone that cricket, at its best, is as much about personality as it is about performance.
