Shubman Gill-led India are currently in England for the five-Test match series of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. Two matches are already done and dusted as the series is currently tied 1-1. In the ongoing third Test match at the iconic Lord's Stadium in London, Indian players have approached the umpires to conduct the gauge test and try and get the ball changed during the Day 2 of the third Test.
Indian players were seen having an animated chat with the umpires regarding the ball, which was evident when skipper Shubman Gill fumed at the umpire for the ball change.
One of the major concerns with the Dukes ball during the India vs England Test series is that it becomes soft too early in the game. Another issue lies with the shape gauge used by umpires. When an umpire checks the ball's shape using the gauge, it should pass through smoothly if the shape is intact. However, if the ball gets stuck in the gauge, it indicates the ball has lost its shape, even if it appears fine at first glance. A misshapen ball can significantly affect the seam, which in turn impacts swing, bounce, and overall performance. Moreover, a softer ball is harder to grip and doesn't carry well, making it difficult for fielders to catch edges and posing a new challenge for both pacers and spinners.
Earlier, India's vice-captain Rishabh Pant also highlighted the issue that both teams are facing in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025.
Definitely. I feel it's a big problem because the ball is getting out of shape. But at the same time, it is not up to us because when you are leaving, you see the ball. You can see it is 'D' shaped. But the rules are like such. Utill and unless someone changes it. It is not up to the players," Pant said the eve of third Test against England
Earlier, India captain Gill had said that the ball losing its shape makes it tough for bowlers to pick wickets.
"It is very difficult for the bowlers. I think more than the wicket, maybe the ball is out of shape very quickly. It gets soft very quickly. I don't know what it is, whether it is wickets or whatever. It is difficult for the bowlers. It is very difficult to get a wicket in such conditions, when there is nothing there," Gill had said after the Edgbaston Test.
Coming back to the third Test, Jasprit Bumrah's menacing spell to take a fifer helped India to bowled out England for 387 despite Joe Root's 37th hundred on the second day of the Lord's Test. After Bumrah (5 for 74) eclipsed Kapil Dev's record of 12 five-wicket hauls on foreign soil, India were steady in their reply, reaching 44 for 1 at tea break.