
'I Work Very Hard, Don't Want To Lose Money': Bumrah Tight-Lipped On Dukes Ball Controversy
Jasprit Bumrah had rocked England early on Friday when he got rid of Harry Brook, Joe Root and Ben Stokes with the second new ball which was helping the Indian bowlers. However, towards the end of the 91st over, Gill seemed unhappy with the condition of the ball and asked the umpires if it can be changed.

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Business Standard
22 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Dukes ball controversy: Here's what Bumrah and Root said
The ongoing Test series between England and India will be remembered for many good reasons such as a record-breaking chase, incredible twin centuries, and India's first-ever win at Edgbaston. But at the same time, it will also be remembered for the controversy surrounding the Dukes cricket balls used in the Tests in England. Since the first match, players from both India and England have been complaining about the Dukes ball going out of shape pretty quickly. However, the situation worsened during Day 2 of the third Test at Lord's when, after using the second new ball for only 10-odd overs, Indian skipper Gill was seen arguing with the umpires for a ball change. The discussion was not just an open-and-shut case, as Gill was seen approaching the umpires multiple times, causing delays in the game. This growing situation around the Dukes ball has enraged both fans and players alike. Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah and English batter Joe Root also gave their take on the situation after Day 2's controversy. While Bumrah took the diplomatic route, Root suggested rule changes regarding requests for the change of balls. Don't want to lose on money: Bumrah While talking about the Dukes ball controversy in the post-day press conference at Lord's on Friday, Bumrah chose not to stir the pot amid the ongoing debate surrounding the quality of the Dukes ball used in the third Test. On Day 2, India had to change the second new ball after just 63 legitimate deliveries, and the replacement too lasted only 48 balls. Bumrah, however, refrained from making strong remarks, stating that he didn't want to lose match fees over a controversial statement. He said the team just bowled with whatever ball was provided and accepted it as part of the game. Reflecting on his previous tour, Bumrah noted a clear difference in quality, recalling how the Dukes ball in 2018 held its shape better and offered consistent swing throughout. He pointed out that the current balls are going soft quickly, especially due to the dry conditions, which is making it easier for batters. Joe Root suggests rule change Meanwhile, Joe Root offered a practical suggestion amid the ongoing Dukes ball controversy, proposing that teams be allowed up to three ball-change challenges per 80 overs to avoid excessive interruptions. He emphasized that the measuring rings must also be accurate to maintain fairness. Acknowledging that Dukes balls are handmade and can vary, Root pointed out that this summer's unusual heat and hard playing surfaces may have contributed to the frequent shape loss. The former England captain, who scored his 37th Test century that day, urged teams to adapt rather than overreact, stating that changing the ball isn't a major issue and adds a new dynamic to the game. Penalty for time-wasting? After Gill and Team India's antics on Day 2 of the Lord's Test, the chief cricket writer for The Telegraph, Scyld Berry, said that even though a team can ask for a ball check anytime they wish, doing it after almost every 10 overs when the ball is passing fine through the gauge should be considered an offence of time-wasting, and the fielding side should be penalised with five penalty runs. However, he did admit that the current Dukes balls are going out of shape pretty soon, echoing the frustrations around the issue. What actually happened on Day 2? During the morning session of Day 2 in the third Test between England and India at Lord's, the incident unfolded in the 91st over of England's innings—just the eighth over of the day—when the Indian players approached on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula with concerns about the condition of the ball and requested a replacement. Although the umpires agreed and provided a new ball, the Indian team remained visibly dissatisfied. Captain Shubman Gill was seen having an animated exchange with the officials, apparently unhappy with the quality of the replacement. The ball, meant to be 10 overs old, did not appear to meet expectations. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who was in the middle of his spell, was overheard expressing disbelief: 'This is a 10-over-old ball? Seriously?' Despite the protests, the umpires declined to replace the ball again, and Gill was seen walking away, clearly displeased with the decision.


Mint
23 minutes ago
- Mint
Mohammed Siraj breaks silence on Diogo Jota tribute at Lord's; ‘Had a word with Kuldeep, life is very unpredictable…'
Just like any other football fan around the globe, the tragic death of Liverpool and Portugal forward Digo Jota had stunned India pacer Mohammed Siraj. A Portugal football fan, Siraj paid tribute to Jota on the second day of the ongoing third Test against England at Lord's after dismissing Jamie Smith in the middle session of the day. Following the dismissal of Smith, Siraj gestured his fingers in the form of 20 - Jota's jersey number - as a mark of respect for the 28-year-old who lost his life alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car accident on the wee hours of July 3 in Spain. In a video posted by the BCCI on social media, Siraj broke his silence on the emotional celebration and revealed he actuall wanted to do it in the previous Test match in Birmingham. 'When we were coming back from the last match, we got to know that Diogo Jota had died in an accident. As I am a Portugal fan, and he plays for CR7's team, I felt emotional. I wanted to do it in the last match,' Siraj said after the day's play on Friday. He also reflected the unpredictability of life. 'Life is very unpredictable. For whom are we fighting? For whom are we doing this? There is no guarantee of tomorrow, so I was shocked something like this could happen,' added the Indian speedster. Siraj also revealed that he had discussed about the Jota tribute with fellow teammate Kuldeep Yadav, who is a Barcelona supporter. 'I told him I want to make a gesture for Diogo Jota. Today I got a wicket, so I did it. That was my tribute to him,' said Siraj. Meanwhile, Premier League club Liverpool have decided to permanently retire Jota's no.20 jersey in honour of the Portuguese forward. It is the first instance of Liverpool's 133-year-old history that the club have decided to retire a jersey permanently - which applies to all levels, including men's and women's senior teams and all academy sides. Liverpool's decision to retire Jota's jersey came after consulting with his wife Rute and other family members. 'The move is recognition of not only the immeasurable contribution our lad from Portugal made to the Reds' on-pitch successes over the last five years, but also the profound personal impact he had on his teammates, colleagues and supporters and the everlasting connections he built with them,' the club said.
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First Post
24 minutes ago
- First Post
Rishabh Pant, Gautam Gambhir quash rumours of a rift with heartfelt gesture at Lord's; watch video
Relations between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and vice-captain Rishabh Pant were rumoured to have soured after the former snapped at a question on the wicketkeeper-batter's twin centuries in the first Test at Headingley. read more India head coach Gautam Gambhir and vice-captain Rishabh Pant at a training session at Lord's ahead of the third Test against England. PTI Relations between Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir and vice-captain Rishabh Pant appeared to have soured of late with the former not taking kindly to a question on the wicketkeeper-batter's twin centuries in the first Test against England at Headingley. Rumours of a rift between the two, however, were put to rest with the two appearing to share a hearty laugh in the dressing room on Friday, the second day of the third Test at Lord's. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The incident took place during the Indian innings on Friday, when opener KL Rahul was batting alongside captain Shubman Gill with Pant padded up in the dressing room, waiting to walk in at No 5. The clip of the hearty moment between Pant and Gambhir has since gone viral on social media. Watch Pant and Gambhir share a light-hearted moment at the Lord's balcony: What A Moment 🤯🤯 Rishabh Pant and Gautam Gambhir Are Having a Good Time Together 💀😭😭😭😭#IndvsEng — Anshuman (@_spideyyy17) July 11, 2025 Gambhir had snapped at a reporter's question on Pant's back-to-back hundreds in the series opener in Leeds, stating that centuries by other batters needed to be acknowledged as well while adding that 'the question could have been framed better'. Pant among four Indian batters scoring centuries in the Headingley Test, along with openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rahul as well as captain Gill. India, however, ended up losing the match by five wickets despite racking up more than 800 runs, although they would bounce back in the second Test at Edgbaston by a whopping 336 runs. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As for the ongoing Test at the 'Home of Cricket', India ended the second day at 145/3 after 43 overs in response to England's first innings total of 387, with Rahul and Pant batting on 53 and 19 respectively. Pant walked out to bat despite copping a painful blow on his left index finger in the evening session on the opening day that prevented him from keeping wickets on the second day, with reserve keeper Dhruv Jurel taking his place.