Team India Raises Concerns Over Umpire's Decision in Lord's Test
Allegations Against Umpires
During the ongoing Test series against England, Team India has lodged a complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC) regarding the umpires' decisions. They assert that the ball provided during the third Test at Lord's was significantly older than the stipulated 10 overs, claiming it was actually 30 overs old, which they believe altered the match's outcome. The ICC is currently reviewing the rules related to this incident.
A dispute arose between Team India's captain, Shubman Gill, and the umpires concerning the ball change during the Lord's Test, which ultimately resulted in a 22-run defeat for India.
India's Claims
An official from the Indian team stated that the umpires handed them an old ball without informing them about its condition. Furthermore, Team India was not allowed to select their preferred ball, as the England team had already chosen the ball they wanted as their second new ball.
According to reports, the official explained that after approximately 10 overs at Lord's, the Dukes ball had lost its shape, a common occurrence in this series. The ball failed to pass through the rings that umpires use for inspection. However, the umpires did not have a 10-over-old ball available, resulting in Team India receiving a ball that was 30-35 overs old at a crucial moment in the match. ICC regulations stipulate that the ball provided should match the exact over at which it is replaced.
Events at Lord's
On the second day of the third Test at Lord's, during England's first innings, Team India inspected the second new ball after 10 overs. The umpires determined that the ball was not passing through the inspection ring. At that point, England had scored 271 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Jasprit Bumrah had taken out Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Chris Woakes within 14 balls.
Following the ball change, the momentum shifted in favor of England, who scored 355 runs in their first innings, with Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse delivering impressive performances. The official noted that the scoreboard reflects how the game changed after the ball switch. The bowlers lost their swing, allowing England to score runs easily. Reports indicate that had the team known the ball was 30 to 35 overs old, they would have bowled with the previous ball.