Rishabh Pant’s rare display of frustration stole the spotlight on Day 3 at Headingley. The Indian wicketkeeper, who earlier played a superb knock of 134 runs, was clearly unhappy when umpire Chris Gaffaney refused India’s repeated requests to change the ball. After Jasprit Bumrah’s appeal was turned down following a gauge check, Pant approached the umpire himself—but Gaffaney again declined the request.
That’s when Pant couldn’t hold back his frustration. He flung the ball backhanded towards Mohammed Siraj, an uncharacteristic display from the usually composed keeper. The Headingley crowd reacted strongly, booing Pant for his visible outburst, though Siraj calmly picked up the ball. Pant could still face action from the match referee for showing dissent.
Rishabh Pant was clearly unhappy by that decision of the umpire of not changing the ball. #INDvsENG pic.twitter.com/d9c1qdZPbD
— Mamta Jaipal (@ImMD45) June 22, 2025
“It’s not worth going to the umpire” – Shastri Calls for Patience
Pant’s reaction wasn’t the end of India’s ball concerns. In the very next over, captain Shubman Gill also had a word with Gaffaney about the condition of the ball, and Bumrah followed up again. However, the umpire remained firm in his decision.
Watching the events unfold from the commentary box, former India head coach Ravi Shastri urged restraint. “It’s not worth going to the umpire. Shubman Gill should ask everyone [to] just wait for 4-5 overs, then go. This is only going to irritate the umpires further,” Shastri said.
Meanwhile, England kept the scoreboard ticking. Harry Brook ramped Siraj for a boundary just before the entire drama. Earlier in the session, India removed Ollie Pope for 106, thanks to a sharp catch by Pant off Prasidh Krishna’s bowling.
At lunch, England were fighting back strongly at 327/5, still trailing India’s 471 by 144 runs.
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