The Indian team management has reportedly raised concerns with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the handling of ball replacements during the ongoing Test series versus England.
Notably, the Dukes balls have gone out of shape as early as the 10th over of play. This problem has persisted through the series, particularly in the third Test at Lord’s, which England won by 22 runs to take a 2-1 series lead. According to a report by The Indian Express, India were handed an older and softer replacement ball, aged approximately 30-35 overs, after their new ball went out of shape just 10 overs into use.
The current rule allows the umpires to provide a ball that is "as old as possible" in line with the original. However, India argue that the lack of precise age-based criteria gives potential advantage to the opposing side.
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India Claim Bias, Says 'ICC Needs to Intervene'
The controversy erupted during England’s first innings at Lord’s. India were forced to replace the second new ball after just 10.2 overs. The ball had gone out of shape and failed the standard ring test used by umpires. India requested a 10-over-old replacement. Instead, they received a ball that had already endured 30-35 overs of wear and tear.
"At Lord’s, after about 10 overs, the Dukes ball lost its shape, something that has been happening so often in the series. The ball failed to pass through the rings that the umpires carry on the field to check if the ball is uniformly spherical. However, the umpires didn’t have a ball that was 10 overs old, so the Indian team at a crucial moment of the match got a ball that was 30–35 overs old," an official said as quoted to The Indian Express.
The Indian camp said that they were not told that the ball was 30-35 overs old. They want the ICC to intervene and change this rule.
"When you ask for a ball change, you aren’t told about the age of the replacement you will be getting. At Lord’s, we weren’t told that the replacement would be 30 to 35 overs old. If we were told, we would have continued with the deformed ball that was used for 10 overs. The ICC needs to intervene. This rule needs to be changed," he added.
The team also raised eyebrows over how England got to choose their two new balls in the dressing room, rather than in the match referee’s presence.
"I am not alleging anything, but when we asked for the darker ball, we were told that was the ball England had selected as their second new ball. The right thing would be to have this ball selected in the match referee’s room and not in the dressing room with the local umpire as the only official present," the official continued.
Persistent Dukes Ball Issues in IND vs ENG 2025 Series
Since the start of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, players from both sides have expressed frustration over balls going out of shape far too frequently.
Even the manufacturers of the Dukes ball had to acknowledge the issue earlier in the series, promising to address the complaints.
The series currently stands at 2-1 after four Tests with India holding on for a draw in the fourth Test. The fifth and final match is set to begin on Thursday at The Oval. Shubman Gill and Co. need a win.
Also read: England vs India 3rd Test: ‘Felt Like Bumrah Wasn’t Ready’: DK Puzzled by Ball Change Call
