 "Umpire with Dukes ball during Day 2 of the India vs England 2nd Test at Lord's.")
The Dukes ball has drawn massive flak from the players in the ongoing India vs England Test series. Reacting to the uproar, the maker of the Dukes ball, Dilip Jajodia, has called for the players to show more patience and be more reasonable in their approach towards the controversial subject.
Jajodia, whose company’s history dates back to the 18th century, is open to making improvements in ball keeping, considering the unpredictable weather in the UK and the demands of the modern game, where batters smash the ball with their heavy bats.
Dukes ball maker ready to make modifications to the ball
The Dukes was changed twice in the morning session on day three of the Lord’s Test. After getting a 10-over ball changed, the Indian players remained extremely unhappy, leading to another change in a matter of minutes.
“There are only three recognised manufacturers in world cricket (Dukes, SG and Kookaburra). It’s not easy (making a cricket ball). And if it was easy, there’d be hundreds and hundreds of manufacturers around the world.
“So I think the players need to realise that we are not sitting back doing nothing. We’re trying our best. And if there’s an issue, it will be reviewed and we look at it and see where the problem is, whether it is a fault with the leather or there’s a fault with something else. We will look into it. I’m not sitting around with my feet up smoking a cigar," Jajodia said.
“The players can criticise my cricket ball. Can I criticise them for the bad shot or the bad ball? Long hop. You know what I mean? You’ve got to be sensible.”
Impact Shorts
More ShortsAhead of the Test, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant had expressed frustration at the ball going soft and out of shape so frequently.
Former England pacer Stuart Broad, who took the majority of his 604 Test wickets with the Dukes, too, has spoken against the fast deteriorating ball.
“The superstars can argue. They’re the paymasters. I have to produce what they want. That’s all I can say to that. It’s very easy (to criticise).
“And people should be careful that when they make this criticism, it’s not just criticising me or my ball. There are a lot of people behind me. Jobs are at stake. So we have to be careful. Always be careful, be generous,” cautioned Jajodia.
With agency inputs