The Dukes ball controversy continues to dominate headlines in India’s Test series against England, with fresh drama unfolding on the morning of Day 3 at Lord’s. Already under scrutiny following a heated exchange between Indian skipper Shubman Gill and the umpires over a replacement ball on Day 2, the issue resurfaced again, this time drawing criticism from commentators and former players alike.
Early in the first session after the drinks break, on-field officials halted play to perform a gauge test on the ball in use. The delay, which could have been managed during the scheduled break, left many perplexed. Even the commentary box couldn’t hide its frustration, with Ravi Shastri and an English co-commentator openly questioning the timing.
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Shastri, in particular, didn’t hold back. While on air for Sky Sports, he asked the obvious question that was likely on every viewer’s mind: “It’s hard to explain. What’s quite amazing is that they checked five balls and all of them failed the ring test—why are they even in the box in the first place?”
Ravi Shastri – “They checked 5 balls and that didn’t go inside the ring so why are they in the box”. 😂🔥 pic.twitter.com/SQF7NBBy5X
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 12, 2025
His blunt critique echoed growing dissatisfaction around the quality of Dukes balls being used in this series. The consistent failure of balls to hold shape has not only frustrated players but also led to multiple interruptions, impacting the natural rhythm of the game.
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Moreover, the frequent ball changes appear to be hurting both teams’ overrates. Day 1 at Lord’s saw only 83 overs bowled, while Day 2 managed just 72, despite the use of overtime.
India had earlier raised concerns over the lack of swing on Day 2, further compounding the debate around the manufacturing quality of the current Dukes batch. As the series progresses, the spotlight remains firmly fixed, not just on the cricket, but on the ball at the centre of it all.
