“If this had happened in India, the British Media would have certainly made a big deal out of it” - Sunil Gavaskar on Dukes ball controversy

The Dukes ball caught the limelight once again on the second day of the Lord’s Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as the Indian Test captain Shubman Gill was seen involved in an argument with the on-field umpires to change the ball as it wasn’t in proper condition to bowl.

Interestingly, the controversy took place after a couple of overs had been bowled on Day 2, with the ball being around 10 overs old. To make things more interesting, Gill was seen to be livid, having a conversation with the umpire during the drinks break.

A few overs later, the ball was required to be changed as it didn’t pass the test. Interestingly, this happened in the first two Tests of the ongoing five-match series. Former Indian captain and commentator Sunil Gavaskar had his say.

Speaking on air, Gavaskar stated that had this controversy happened in India, the British Media would’ve created a big deal out of it. However, things have been smooth since it happened in England.

"Even from here you can see that it is not a 10-overs old ball, that is like a 20-overs old ball. If this would have happened in India... where there were not enough balls similar to the ones replaced, the British Media would have certainly made a big deal out of it," Sunil Gavaskar said on air.

Furthermore, the former England pacer and commentator Stuart Broad stated that it is "unacceptable" that the ball is being changed quite frequently. 

"The cricket ball should be like a fine wicketkeeper. Barely noticed. We are having to talk about the ball too much because it is such an issue, & being changed virtually every innings. Unacceptable. Feels like it's been 5 years now. Dukes have a problem. They need to fix it. A ball should last 80 overs. Not 10," Broad wrote on X.

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