"If This Would Have Happened In India...": Sunil Gavaskar Slams Dukes Ball Controversy During India vs England 3rd Test

The Dukes ball was once again in the limelight on Day 2 of the third Test between England and India at Lord's.

There was evident frustration on the face of India captain Shubman Gill and fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who both seemed less than impressed with its behavior in the early stages of the day's play.

Just a few overs into Friday morning's play, the Indian team registered complaints about the state of the ball, which was around 10 overs old at that stage. The umpires tried the usual hoop test, but the ball did not go through the ring and had to be changed. Gill could be seen in a tense face-off with the on-field officials, looking visibly agitated with the change. His annoyance still lingered during the drinks interval, with him carrying on his argument with the umpires.

The issue recurred deeper into the session. Only 48 deliveries in, the new ball also had to be replaced as it had shape problems. This was not the first time that such issues had happened during the series; the same sort of issues had emerged in the first two Tests as well. The frequent interruptions have set doubts about the quality of the Dukes balls used.

Cricketing great Sunil Gavaskar also commented on the issue in the broadcast, alerting viewers to how fast the ball was getting worn out. "Even sitting here you can notice that is not a 10-overs old ball, that is like a 20-overs old ball. If this would have occurred in India. where if there were not enough balls like the ones substituted, the British media would have definitely made a huge issue out of it," Gavaskar said.

Ex-England quick bowler Stuart Broad was even more blunt in his attack, terming the situation unacceptable. "The cricket ball ought to be as subtle as a good wicketkeeper. Hardly seen. We are being forced to discuss the ball too much because it is such a concern, & being replaced almost every match. Unacceptable. It feels like it's been 5 years now. Dukes have an issue. They need to sort it out.". An 80-over ball, not 10," Broad tweeted on X.

Reacting to the criticism, Dukes ball maker Dilip Jajodia appealed to players to be more compassionate. Speaking at the third Test, Jajodia recognized the fears and stated that Dukes are willing to fine-tune the ball, particularly in light of the uncommonly hot UK summer and the contemporary needs of the game where massive bats are causing the ball to depreciate at a fast rate. He also made a plea for a more restrained reaction on the part of the "game's superstars" about the matter.