Dukes ball controversy erupts as it goes soft early, with Shubman Gill demanding a replacement during the IND vs ENG Test at Lord’s.
Highlights:
- Dukes ball goes soft early, affecting bowlers’ performance.
- Shubman Gill confronts umpire over ball condition during 3rd Test.
- Umpires’ shape gauge questioned after deformed balls pass the test.
The Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 has seen its fair share of drama, but nothing has captured headlines more than the ongoing Dukes Ball controversy in the third Test between India and England at Lord’s.
Shubham Gill Over Dukes Ball
On Day 2 of the third Test, Indian skipper Shubman Gill was visibly furious with the on-field umpires, particularly Sharfdoulla Saikat, over the condition of the Dukes ball. Alongside bowler Akash Deep, Gill questioned why the ball was soft and misshapen just a few overs into the innings.
The problem? The Dukes ball is losing shape far too early, affecting bowlers’ ability to grip, swing, and extract bounce. The players demanded a gauge test to verify the ball’s shape, hoping for a replacement.
Early Softening: The Dukes ball, known for holding shape longer, is reportedly going soft quickly, frustrating bowlers on both sides.
Gauge Test Flaws: Umpires use a ring gauge to check the ball’s shape. If the ball passes through cleanly, it’s considered valid. But even visibly deformed balls are slipping through due to minor discrepancies.
As Rishabh Pant rightly said, “You can see the ball is ‘D’ shaped, but rules are rules. Unless someone changes it, it’s not in the players’ hands.”
Despite these complaints, Jasprit Bumrah delivered a stunning performance, taking 5 wickets for 74 runs, helping India bowl out England for 387. Bumrah even surpassed Kapil Dev’s record of 12 five-wicket hauls on foreign soil.
India’s reply was cautious, reaching 44/1 at tea.
In a series already tied at 1-1, such a controversy could swing momentum unfairly. A deformed or soft ball affects seam movement, pace, bounce, and overall match balance—posing serious concerns over the fairness of play.
With two Tests left, all eyes are now on the ICC and match officials—Will they take swift action?
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