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The second day of the Lord’s Test between India and England witnessed a contentious moment that sparked debate among cricket experts and fans alike. India’s captain Shubman Gill made a surprising decision to request a change of the second new ball after just 63 deliveries, a move that former England captain Nasser Hussain described as “bizarre” and “odd,”
Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s devastating spell with the original ball, which saw him take three quick wickets, the Indian team appeared dissatisfied with the ball’s condition and pushed for a replacement. The subsequent ball change, however, did not favour India, as the replacement ball was older than expected and offered little assistance to the bowlers. This incident not only affected the flow of the game but also raised questions about the decision-making within the Indian camp.
Nasser Hussain’s critique over the baffling ball change by India
Hussain was vocal in his criticism of India’s decision to change the ball so early in the session. He explained that there are typically only two reasons to request a ball change: either the umpires deem the ball to be out of shape, or the bowling side feels the ball is no longer effective. However, Hussain pointed out that the ball in question was performing exceptionally well, with sharp movement and pace that troubled the English batters.
“It was a very odd ball change from India. There’s two reasons you change a cricket ball. One is because the umpires think it’s gone out of shape, or two, because the bowling attack and the captain realise that the ball is doing nothing and you try and get the umpires to change it,” Hussain said on Sky Sports.
Bumrah was in a “magic spell,” generating significant swing and taking key wickets, while Mohammed Siraj was also creating chances. Hussain found it perplexing that Gill became animated and insistent on changing a ball that was clearly working in their favour. He emphasized that the Dukes ball is known for its variability, and changing a good ball for an inferior one was a strategic error. The replacement ball failed to provide the same level of assistance, allowing England’s lower order to stabilize and add crucial runs.
Absolute nonsense from Nass. Ball was changed coz it was out of shape.
And the ball after that was again changed because it was again out of shape.
Reading the situation worse than Gabba 2002.
— S (@reversepaddle)
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Jasprit Bumrah’s unpreparedness over Shubman Gill’s decision
Former India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik offered a different perspective on the controversy, suggesting that Bumrah himself was caught off guard by the ball change request. Karthik speculated that the decision might have been initiated by Siraj and supported by captain Gill, while Bumrah appeared unready for such a move.
“A bit odd, considering how much that ball was moving, probably the most in this Test match and consistently as well. They delivered 63 balls with it and quite a few of them moved. So, I don’t know what the conversation was. It felt like [Mohammed] Siraj initiated that and Shubman was there, Bumrah looked like he wasn’t ready for it to be changed, but it happened,” Karthik said.
Despite Bumrah’s impressive early spell, the sudden change disrupted the rhythm of the Indian bowling attack. Karthik described the situation as “a bit odd,” given how much the original ball was moving consistently. The replacement ball’s lack of movement allowed England’s batters, particularly Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse, to build a significant partnership, which shifted momentum in England’s favour. Karthik’s comments highlight potential communication gaps and the impact of tactical decisions on player readiness during high-pressure moments in Test cricket.
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