- By Namrata Vijay
- Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:37 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs ENG 5th Test: England had the preference to select match balls a lot of times in the ongoing series, according to a report, which revealed that they are getting preferential treatment against India. The Indian officials want to take a look again at the rules which are being used to select balls in the longest format, where the dukes balls have been constantly criticised despite the series entering its business end.
As per the Indian Express report, of all the match balls that have been given to both teams inside the dressing room before the start of any match, one team gets a darker shade of red, and the other one is pure red. According to the report, the ball with the darker shade appears to swing more than others, and a lot of times, when the visitors wanted to use it, they were told that the hosts had already picked it as their second new ball.
“I am not alleging anything, but when we asked for the darker ball, we were told that was the ball England had selected as their second new ball," an official told the Indian Express.
According to the practice, the fourth umpire from the host, who usually monitors the selection of the balls and is seen carrying the boxes inside the dressing room. The official reveals that due to the match referee's absence, the whole process becomes suitable for the home teams.
“The match referee, the neutral chief judge of the Test, is not present. The right thing would be to have this ball selection in the match referee’s room and not in the dressing room with the local umpire as the only official present," the official concluded.
Duke Balls Under Scrutiny
The Shubman Gill-led side had urged the on-field umpires a lot to get the ball changed and reckoned that it had become soft too early and had lost its shape. The manufacturer of these balls had come out in the balls and highlighted that if the balls were made harder, then it would only lead to broken fingers and backs.