Cricketing legend Anil Kumble has weighed in on the growing concerns over ball quality in Test cricket, urging the ICC to lift the ban on the use of saliva and calling for the restoration of the traditional Dukes ball. His comments come in the wake of mounting criticism during the ongoing third Test between England and India at Lord’s, where the ball had to be replaced twice in a span of just 10 overs due to excessive wear and loss of shape.

Kumble, speaking to ESPNcricinfo, was firm in his assessment of the current state of affairs. “Yes, it is only fair that the ball is getting soft or needs to be changed because it’s getting out of shape consistently and too frequently. Something needs to be done for sure,” he said. “If it doesn’t last 10 overs, repeatedly changing the ball is not good — not just for the cricket, but for the ball as well.”

He went on to suggest that the solution may lie in going back to the ball manufacturing standards from five years ago. The older Dukes balls were known for their durability and their ability to offer consistent swing, a quality that seems to be lacking in the present version.

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Kumble’s concerns align with those raised earlier by former England pacer Stuart Broad, who had also questioned the recent quality of the Dukes ball and urged a return to the previous manufacturing methods.

In a related point, Anil Kumble advocated lifting the saliva ban, which was imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. “That’ll certainly help — shine the ball better and make it reverse at least,” he said, pointing out that even on dry pitches under hot weather, the lack of reverse swing is concerning.

He highlighted how the 2025 IPL had already reintroduced the use of saliva, and bowlers were well-received by the move. Kumble’s suggestion is part of a broader conversation on how to rebalance the contest between bat and ball in Test cricket.

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As the game evolves and conditions vary across venues, the ICC now faces increasing pressure to revisit regulations that may have inadvertently hampered the effectiveness of fast bowlers, especially when conditions, like at Lord’s, offer little assistance. So far, the ICC has remained silent on both issues. But with voices like Kumble’s joining the chorus, a review may not be far away.