Ball Trouble Escalates: India Fume Over Repeated Ball Changes on Day 2 of IND vs ENG 3rd Test
England Reach 353/7 at Lunch on Day 2
On Day 2 of the third Test between India and England at lords, England went into lunch at 353 for 7. But the scorecard wasn’t the only talking point. The controversy surrounding the Dukes ball quality resurfaced yet again.
Bumrah Strikes Early, India in Control
India began the morning with a dominant bowling performance. Jasprit Bumrah delivered a sensational spell, picking up three key wickets:
Joe Root was bowled for 104
Ben Stokes again bowled for 44
Chris Woakes fell caught behind far a duck
England were reduced to 271/7, and India looked set to clean up the tail quickly.
Ball Changed Multiple Times in Just One Session
After taking the second new ball at 80.1 overs, India were forced to change the ball twice more, once at 90.4 overs and again at 98.4. That made it three different balls used within just 18 overs, a rare and frustrating scenario in Test cricket.
Indian Players Frustrated With Umpires
As the newly replaced ball stopped swinging, Indian players grew visibly upset. Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj were seen in intense conversation with the umpires, clearly unhappy with the decision to use the replacement balls.
“The ball just stopped doing anything,” said an Indian player close to the stump mic.
The lack of swing and movement allowed the English batters to settle in again.
Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse Lead Fightback
The ball change shifted the momentum of the match. Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse capitalized on the less effective new ball, putting together a valuable lower-order partnership. Their calm and aggressive approach neutralized India’s early advantage and took England past 350.
What Is the Dukes Ball Controversy?
This issue didn’t begin today. The quality of the Dukes ball has been under fire throughout the series:
Rishabh Pant slammed the ball for becoming misshapen too quickly
Shubman Gill said it loses shape and softness within 20-30 overs
Ben Stokes questioned the ball gauge used by umpires, suggesting it may not suit Dukes balls
Despite complaints, the ball manufacturer Dilip Jajodia defended the product, citing handmade variation and the power of modern bats as reasons for early wear and tear.
