Tensions have boiled over in the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy as the Indian cricket team has formally complained to the ICC match referee about the ball-change procedure during their Test series against England. According to reports from The Indian Express, Indian officials allege that match umpires have shown favoritism toward England, especially when it comes to selecting replacement balls—a process that’s turned unexpectedly contentious this summer.
Ball Trouble at Lord’s Sparks Outrage
The flashpoint came during the Lord’s Test, where the second new Dukes ball presented to India was changed again after just 10 overs. Players claimed it had already lost its shape—an issue both sides have struggled with throughout this series. “At Lord’s, after about 10 overs, the Dukes ball lost its shape, something that has been happening so often in the series,” a senior Indian team official told The Indian Express. Concerns peaked as players argued that the replacement protocol lacked transparency and accountability.
The ball-change drama isn’t just about wear and tear. Indian management claims they were denied their preferred darker ball because “it was already selected by England.” Typically, fourth umpires from the host nation oversee this process, presenting a box of balls to dressing rooms before play. However, Indian officials say teams aren’t being told how old each replacement is—a detail that can swing momentum in tight matches.
Indian Team Calls for Rule Changes
With the fifth and final Test looming at The Oval under cloudy London skies, India has ramped up pressure on governing bodies to revise ball-replacement rules. The team has already communicated its concerns to the ICC match referee and is demanding greater transparency: “Teams should be informed about the age of each replacement ball,” an official said.
The red Dukes ball has long had a reputation for quality but has faced scrutiny this series for going soft too soon—adding fuel to an already fiery contest between two of cricket’s heavyweights. As accusations fly and both camps dig in, all eyes turn to whether the ICC will step in before this controversy overshadows the finale of what’s been a closely fought and drama-filled series.
