Shubman Gill Criticizes Dukes Ball Quality, Flat Pitches Amidst England Series Run Fest

Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill, despite his stellar performance in the series with nearly 600 runs in four innings, has raised significant concerns regarding the declining quality of the Dukes ball and the unsupportive nature of the pitches in England.

Following India's dominant 336-run victory over England in the second Test at Edgbaston, a match that marked his first Test win as captain, Gill openly discussed the challenges faced by bowlers.

"It is very difficult for the bowlers," Gill stated plainly. He elaborated, "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 the wickets or the ball. But it's very difficult to get a wicket in such conditions when there's nothing there.”

The Dukes ball, traditionally celebrated for its durability and seam movement, has increasingly been criticized for losing its shape and hardness prematurely, sometimes within just 30 overs. This issue has been highlighted by several players in recent years.

Gill emphasized how the lack of assistance from both the pitch and the ball diminishes the strategic depth of the game. “If the ball is doing something, then you can plan something in some way, and then it is fun to play,” he noted.

He further explained, “If only the first 20 overs matter and after that you're just defending all day, then the essence of the game goes missing.”

On the flat Edgbaston surface, where he scored 269 and 161, Gill argued that such pitches reduce the competitive spirit of Test cricket. He added humorously, “Like we play in India, most pitches are friendly. It feels good to come here and get good pitches for a while.”

Looking forward to the third Test at Lord’s, commencing on July 10, Gill doesn’t anticipate another flat track. “I don’t think they will give such a flat wicket. But we’ll assess it and decide the best possible combination.”