[WATCH] 'Jasprit Bumrah Didn't Look Ready for It' - Dinesh Karthik weighs in on ball change controversy in ENG vs IND 3rd Test

Former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik has shared his opinion on the much-talked-about Duke ball controversy that unfolded on Day 2 of the third Test between India and England at Lord's. During the first session, Indian captain Shubman Gill requested a ball change after just 63 deliveries, stating the ball had lost shape and gone soft, even as Jasprit Bumrah had put India in command with three wickets in his first 14 balls. Despite the movement it was generating, Gill felt the softness hindered play.

However, the replacement ball did not favor the bowlers either. In fact, it appeared older than the one it replaced and failed to offer any movement. As a result, England’s Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse built an unbeaten 82-run partnership going into lunch. The incident raised eyebrows, including Karthik’s, who discussed it during a Sky Sports segment alongside Mel Jones and Stuart Broad. He pointed out that Bumrah seemed hesitant about the decision to switch the ball.

“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.
“But what followed after was even more interesting, as they were upset with the ball that was given. Because that didn't move at all, they kept pleading to the umpire, and eventually that ball got changed as well. But even that was slightly older in nature. It was a bizarre bit of action for about an hour,” he added.

Broad Praises Bumrah and Archer in High-Drama Session

Despite the confusion surrounding the ball, Stuart Broad praised Jasprit Bumrah for his clinical spell that saw the dismissals of Ben Stokes, Joe Root, and Chris Woakes in quick succession. “To be honest, that spell of getting Stokes, Root, and Woakes summed up what Jasprit Bumrah does really. He challenges the best batters in the world, brings all sorts of dismissals... It was wonderful. He really deserved to end up on the honors board,” Broad said.

Watch the video here

See Also: [WATCH] 'Somebody's Wife...'- Jasprit Bumrah's hilarious reaction during press conference ahead of ENG vs IND Lord's Test

Broad also highlighted Jofra Archer's emotional return to Test cricket after more than four years. The England pacer struck early by removing Yashasvi Jaiswal with just his third delivery. “It was wonderful, wasn’t it... Seeing the emotion come out of Jofra Archer when that slip catch was taken by Harry Brook, it was pure joy,” Broad added, calling it a reward for Archer’s years of rehab and hard work. England were bowled out for 387, and India ended Day 2 at 145/3.