India, England Slam Dukes Ball Quality in Tests

Both India and England's cricket teams have publicly criticized the Dukes balls used in their ongoing Test series for going soft and losing shape prematurely, with captains Shubman Gill and Ben Stokes leading the complaints. India vice-captain Rishabh Pant described the issue as 'irritating' and disruptive to the flow of the game. Players have expressed frustration that umpires resist changing the ball unless it fails a gauge test they feel is too strict, resulting in visible on-field disputes and calls to lower the threshold for replacement. The manufacturer, Dilip Jajodia, has defended the ball, attributing some concerns to the power of modern bats. Despite the controversy, the five-match series has remained competitive, forcing players to adapt to inconsistent playing conditions. Both sides continue to demand improvements to maintain the integrity of Test cricket.