India Robbed? Drama Over Dukes Ball Unfolds At Lord’s Test

The swing movement of the two balls used during Day 2 of the India-England match at Lord's differed sharply by approximately 1.014 degrees.

India Robbed? Drama Over Dukes Ball Unfolds At Lord’s Test

The Dukes Ball losing its shape and character quickly during the ongoing India-England Test series, has sparked a lot of controversy. (via First Post)

🔍 Explore this post with:

ChatGPTPerplexityGrok AIGoogle AI

Controversy erupted over the Dukes ball on the second Day of the third Test between India and England, at Lord’s in London. Indian players surprisingly requested the umpires to change the ball twice during the first session, citing concerns that the ball had unusually changed its shape.

The famous Dukes cricket ball made by British Cricket Balls Ltd., has been used in Test matches in the United Kingdom for over the last 100 years. Known to retain its shape and character for a longer period of time, the ball provides a lot of swing for bowlers, suitable for the English conditions. However, the Dukes ball, being used in the ongoing India-England series, has made headlines for all the wrong reasons.

Both the visiting and the home side have been highly critical of the Dukes ball. Indian captain Shubman Gill complained that the ball has not been swinging as effectively as it did in the past, and that it quickly loses its shape and becomes soft. English players have also questioned the ball’s durability, pointing to the difficulties bowlers faced in taking wickets during the opening Tests at Headingley and Edgbaston.

Despite concerns regarding potential issues with the ball, the first day of the second Test at Lord’s went ahead without interruptions. The ball even swung later into the second session on Day 1. India also took the second new ball in the later stages of Day 1, which proved effective when Jasprit Bumrah returned on Day 2 to claim three quick wickets in the first session.

However, the issues re-emerged at the hour mark on Day 2, as Shubman Gill was displeased with the ball movement and requested the umpires for a change, after just 10.4 overs of its use. Umpire Paul Reiffel confirmed the ball’s poor state using a gauge, clearing the way for a replacement. Although the umpires selected a ball from the box and handed it to Gill, the Indian captain was still unsatisfied and was seen having an argument with umpire Sharfuddoula Saikat.

Gill and Mohammed Siraj were left visibly frustrated at the replaced ball, complaining that it did not feel or look like a 10-over old one. However, the umpires dismissed their arguments and instructed them to return to their fielding positions.

Later on, the second new ball also showed poor swing movement, and did not last long. Just eight overs later, in the 99th over, Gill requested yet another ball change. The second ball failed the ring test and was replaced, continuing the drama surrounding the Dukes ball.

The ball controversy drew criticism from several former players, including Sunil Gavaskar, who suggested the Indian team was wronged and went on to claim that the replacement ball appeared 20-overs old. Ex- England pacer Stuart Broad even questioned when the Dukes ball last survived 80 overs of play.

England Bowled Out for 387 in the First Innings, as Indian Bowlers Dominate Late on Day 2

Having scored a respectable total of 387 runs, England concluded its first innings of the third Test at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Their scoring efforts in the latter phases of the match were stalled considerably, by the Indian bowlers on Day 2.

India England first innings
England and India are currently playing each other in the third Test, at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. (via Hindu)

The Three Lions finished with 251/4 on Day 1, and went strong on Day 2 guided by a brilliant hundred from Joe Root. The 34-year-old scored 104 off 199 deliveries, assisted by skipper Ben Stokes, who scored 44 off 110 balls, forging an 88-run fifth stand. At the tail end, Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse contributed with two half-centuries, as England sailed past the 350-run mark.

Meanwhile, for India, Jasprit Bumrah, on his return to the side after having missed the Edgbaston Test, showed off his class with an impressive five-wicket haul in his 27-over spell. Mohammed Siraj and Nitish Kumar Reddy scalped two wickets each, while Ravindra Jadeja claimed one wicket.