Shubman Gill Blasts Umpire, Sunil Gavaskar Left Fuming As Controversy Erupts At Lord's In India vs England Test
India captain Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj got into an animated chat with the umpire during the third Test vs England over the poor quality of the ball provided
- India captain Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj disputed the poor quality of the Dukes ball with umpires
- Gill and Siraj got into an animated chat with the umpire regarding the ball, which was around 10-overs old
- "You can see that is not a 10 overs old ball, that is like a 20 overs old ball," Gavaskar supported the claim
The poor quality of the Dukes ball once again grabbed the limelight on Day 2 of the third India vs England at Lord's on Friday. India captain Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj got into an animated chat with the umpire over the poor quality of the ball provided. The second new ball was taken at the 80-over mark on Thursday on Day 1. On Friday, India were unhappy with the condition of the new ball, which was around 10-over old by then. The umpires changed the ball after it failed to pass the hoop test.Â
The row did not end there. Gill then started having an animated chat with the umpire as he didn't like the shape of the replacement ball either. Even MOhammed Siraj joined in. "This is 10-overs old ball? Seriously?" Siraj was heard saying on the stump mic. Gill was furious he was talking to the umpire and he snatched the ball away from his hands. The umpire, however, Â dismissed his arguments.
#MohammedSiraj was clearly unhappy with the second new ball!
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 11, 2025
What's your take on the bowlers facing consistent problems with the Dukes ball this tour? #ENGvIND 3rd TEST, DAY 2 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar https://t.co/mg732JcWfD pic.twitter.com/jSSQCp1NyZ
"Even from here you can see that is not a 10 over old ball, that is like a 20 over old ball," Sunil Gavaskar supported India's claim from the commentary box as the .Â
"Not Every Time Ump" - The ball did change but Shubman Gill is furious about something. https://t.co/yuzRKImvFr pic.twitter.com/RS9vfXvfbu
— Kanav Bali (@Concussion__Sub) July 11, 2025
Before the third India vs England Test, India vice-captain Rishabh Pant slammed the quality of the Dukes ball being used in the ongoing Test series against England, saying he has never seen the red cherry go out of shape to this extent. Players approaching umpires to change balls has been a regular feature in the series with Dukes losing shape. The bowlers are not getting any help from the ball after it gets softer, confining the batter-bowler contest to the new ball. Pant said the ball has become a big problem and it is not good for the game.
"The gauge (to measure the balls) should be the same (whether its Dukes or Kookaburra. But it would be better if it was smaller (laughs). The balls are giving so much trouble. Definitely, I feel it's a big problem. Because the ball is getting out of shape," said Pant.
"What I've seen, the ball is getting de shaped too much. That has never happened like this to me. It's definitely irritating for the players because every ball plays differently because when it becomes softer, sometimes it's not doing too much. But as soon as it changes the ball, it's starting to do enough.
"As a batsman, you've got a keep on adjusting to it. But at the same time, I feel it's not good for cricket anyway," said the explosive batter.
India Cricket Team
England Cricket Team