The Duke ball is once again the center of discussion on the second day of the ongoing third Test between India and England at Lord’s. Indian cricketers have been repeatedly complaining to the umpires about the quality of the ball. As a result, Shubman Gill and Mohammad Siraj were seen repeatedly engaging in heated exchanges with the two on-field umpires Sharfuddaullah Ibn Shahid Saikat and Paul Reiffel over the issue.
Yesterday (Thursday), India were given a second new ball at the end of the 80th over of the first day of the Test. However, today (Friday), Siraj-Akash Deep started expressing their anger over the condition of the new ball. Indian cricketers demanded a change after just 10 overs as the shape changed and the ball was getting softer. In view of which, the umpire changed the ball after conducting a ‘hoop test’.
But captain Shubman Gill is not satisfied with the shape of the new ball either. As a result, he got into a direct argument with umpire Saikat. He even snatched the ball from the umpire’s hand, which was clearly captured on television. Siraj can be heard saying on the stump mic, ‘Is this a 10-over old ball? Seriously?’ Sunil Gavaskar, who was on the commentary at the moment, also agreed with Gill. He said, ‘Is this a 10-over ball? Even from a distance, it looks like it’s at least 20-over old.’
Earlier, before the start of the series, India’s vice-captain Rishabh Pant had strongly criticised the quality of the Duke ball. He said that he had never seen such a poor quality ball before – the shape of the ball was changing frequently, which was disrupting the balance of the match. According to Pant, “The gauge (ball measuring device) should be the same, be it Duke or Kookaburra ball. But it would be better if it was lighter and smaller. The balls are causing so much trouble, it is a big problem. The ball is getting de-shaped (distorted in shape) again and again.”
He also said, “When the ball becomes soft, it does not help the bowlers at all. Then, after changing the ball, suddenly there is a lot of swing or movement. It is difficult for a batsman to adapt repeatedly. It is not only good for the players, but also for cricket.” Meanwhile, former English captain and current commentator Nasser Hussain is unable to accept the repeated complaints of Indian cricketers about the Duke ball in the ongoing Test. Apart from this, former English pacer Stuart Broad has vented his anger on the ball manufacturing company.
Former star pacer Broad X wrote on his account, “This is unacceptable. A good wicketkeeper should be like a cricket ball, which is clearly visible to the naked eye. We talk a lot about the Duke ball issue, because such things are happening and the type of ball is changing every innings. Unacceptable, it seems like it has been 5 years.”
On the other hand, expressing anger at Indian cricketers, Nasser Hussain said, “India’s demand for frequent ball changes like this is annoying. There should be two reasons for changing the ball – either the shape of the ball has changed or if it feels that the ball has lost its effectiveness. Then if you tell the umpire, they will change it. Only 63 deliveries were made with this ball. Bumrah also played a great spell. On the other hand, Siraj is missing a catch. If the ball was going well in the wicketkeeper’s hands. The ball behaved like it does in Test matches.”
FAQ
What caused the argument between Gill, Siraj, and umpire Saikat?
The argument happened because both Shubman Gill and Mohammad Siraj were unhappy with the condition of the ball during the match. They believed it was not suitable for play and raised the issue with the umpire.
Who is umpire Saikat?
Umpire Saikat, full name Sharfuddaullah Ibn Shahid Saikat, is a well-known international cricket umpire from Bangladesh.
What was wrong with the ball?
The Indian players believed the ball had lost its shape or was damaged, which could affect bowling and batting. They repeatedly complained to the umpires about this.
Did the umpires replace the ball?
As of now, it is unclear if the ball was officially changed. However, the players’ frustration grew as the issue continued without quick resolution.
Why were Gill and Siraj particularly vocal?
Gill, as a top-order batsman, and Siraj, as a pace bowler, are both directly affected by ball condition. Their roles made them more sensitive to any irregularities in the ball’s behavior.
