The Dukes ball intensified once again on Day 2 of the IND vs ENG 3rd Test at Lord’s. The drama came to a head after India’s second new ball only lasted 10 overs. The condition of the ball has been a constant cause of struggle for both teams, with Shubman Gill now having an angry outburst on Friday.
Shubman Gill loses cool as Dukes ball controversy continues
India’s second new ball went out of shape in just 63 deliveries on Day 2 of the IND vs ENG 3rd Test. Jasprit Bumrah delivered a fine spell to strike thrice in the first 30 minutes after the ball was done for after. A replacement ball was given was a much older ball. The ball change hurt India, with not much help to the Indian bowlers. Gill was visibly upset and took his concerns to umpire Sharfuddoula. That ball was again changed after 8 overs as the controversy regarding the balls continue.
What has been said about the Dukes ball?
The Dukes has come under the scanner throughout the India vs England series. Rishabh Pant was handed a demerit point for throwing the ball away in the first Test after the umpires refused a ball change. The Indian vice-captain has also spoken about the ball in his pre-match press conference.
“I feel it is a big problem because the ball is getting out of shape. n this series, the ball is getting de-shaped (out of shape) too much. That is something I’ve never seen. It is definitely irritating for the players because every ball plays differently. When it becomes softer, sometimes it doesn’t do too much, but as soon as you change the ball it starts to do something. As a batsman, you keep on adjusting to that, but at the same time, it is not good for cricket overall,” said Pant.
England captain Ben Stokes also echoed a similar sentiment before the Lord’s Test. England struggled to get the ball changed in the 2nd Test, where India ran them into the ground with their batting.
“Whenever we have touring teams visiting, there is an issue with the balls going soft and completely out of shape. I don’t even think the rings that we use are Dukes rings. It isn’t ideal. Every bowling team seems to struggle with it, and it seemed a big issue last week at Edgbaston,” he added.
What did the Dukes ball maker say?
Dukes is the only ball that is hand stitched and not machine made. The ball is used in Test matches in UK and the West Indies. Dukes manufacturer Dilip Jajodia hit back at critics slamming the ball, suggesting it was fashionable.
“It is becoming a thing for people to complain about the ball. If they are not getting wickets, they go to the umpire. It is not a question of the ball going out of shape. If I made a ball that didn’t go out of shape, there would be broken bats and fingers,” he told Sportstar after the second Test.
While Jajodia has defendes the Dukes, the Lord’s Test is another blemish on the ball. Two ball changes in less than 20 overs is a damning predicament.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
Will Gambhir try Rishabh Pant or Nitish Reddy in IND vs SA 3rd ODI with series on the line?
Top Stories
