The ongoing India–England Test series has been overshadowed by a growing storm around the performance of the Dukes cricket ball, with players from both sides and former cricketers voicing sharp concerns over its inconsistency, durability, and impact on the balance of the game. What began as murmurs has escalated into a full-blown debate that has put one of cricket’s most iconic pieces of equipment under intense scrutiny.
Several Indian players, including Rishabh Pant and Shubman Gill, have openly criticised the ball, claiming it loses shape far too early and fails to maintain its seam or shine. Pant described the issue as “a big problem” that disrupts rhythm, especially for batsmen adjusting to altered movement after mid-innings ball changes. Gill added that the ball goes soft unusually quickly, leaving bowlers handicapped by a lack of carry or lateral movement after the first 25 overs.
England skipper Ben Stokes echoed similar frustrations, noting that the frequency of ball changes was disrupting play and casting doubt on the quality of the batch being used in this series. He suggested the shape-gauge rings used by umpires to measure ball deformity might not be well-suited for the handcrafted Dukes, hinting at a larger structural oversight.
Former fast bowler Stuart Broad was even more critical. In a scathing remark, he said, “The ball should be invisible to the viewer — a good ball does its job quietly.” He lamented the days when a Dukes ball could swing for 60 overs and expressed concern that the charm of Test cricket was being diluted by equipment failures.
In response to the outcry, Dukes manufacturer British Cricket Balls Ltd. announced a full review of the batch used in the first three Tests. The company claims the balls were produced to standard, but acknowledged the need to re-examine their processes, including stitching, leather selection, and lacquer application. Owner Dilip Jajodia has defended the brand, suggesting that the increased physicality of modern cricket, combined with hot summer conditions and powerful modern bats, has accelerated ball wear and tear in ways traditional manufacturing cannot fully offset.
Interestingly, not everyone is in the critics’ camp. Joe Root, England’s former captain, took a more measured stance, saying no two Dukes balls are exactly alike due to their handcrafted nature. He emphasized that environmental factors such as pitch hardness and humidity often play a bigger role in how the ball behaves. Root even proposed a cap on the number of ball-change requests per innings to reduce interruptions without targeting the manufacturer.
Veteran spinner Anil Kumble, meanwhile, added another layer to the discussion by advocating for the return of saliva to shine the ball. With sweat offering limited reverse swing potential and the balls degrading faster than expected, Kumble believes bowlers are being robbed of one of their most vital tools.
This controversy goes beyond just the current series—it touches the very essence of how Test cricket is evolving. At stake is the integrity of the contest between bat and ball, which many feel is increasingly lopsided in favour of the bat due to equipment inconsistencies. Whether this is a passing blip or a sign that cricket’s oldest tools need modern rethinking remains to be seen. For now, the Dukes ball remains under the spotlight—and under fire.