Dilip Jajodia Defends Dukes Amid Shubman Gill & Archer Drama

Dilip Jajodia Defends Dukes Ball Amid Shubman Gill–Jofra Archer Ball Change Drama

The world of cricket is no stranger to controversies, and the ongoing Test series between India and England has witnessed its share of drama. At the center of the latest storm is the storied Dukes cricket ball, manufactured by the historic British company under the stewardship of Dilip Jajodia. The ball's condition, performance, and replacement during a high-stakes Test match at Lord's triggered a series of reactions from players, fans, and the cricketing fraternity.

During the third Test match at Lord’s, India’s rising star Shubman Gill and England pacer Jofra Archer found themselves frustrated with the condition of the Dukes ball. In what became an unexpected subplot of the game, the ball was changed after just 10 overs due to shape issues. Gill appeared visibly agitated with the umpires, while Archer questioned the consistency of ball quality across sessions. The issue reached such a level that the umpires awarded India a rare five-run penalty for time-wasting during the disagreement.

The Man Behind Dukes: Who Is Dilip Jajodia?

Dilip Jajodia is the owner and Managing Director of British Cricket Balls Ltd., the manufacturer of Dukes balls, which are used exclusively in England’s Test matches. Born in India and raised in the UK, Jajodia took over the brand in the 1980s and has since transformed Dukes into one of the most respected ball manufacturers in the cricketing world.

Jajodia, a former club cricketer and sports equipment supplier, is known for his passion for traditional hand-stitched cricket balls. Under his leadership, Dukes balls have earned a reputation for offering consistent swing and longevity, especially in English conditions. However, the recent match brought the spotlight back onto the ball's durability and quality control.

The Ball Change Incident: What Happened at Lord’s?

During the third Test of the England vs. India series in July 2025, play was halted after players complained that the Dukes ball had gone out of shape unusually quickly. The umpires agreed to replace it within just 10 overs of use— a rare move in international cricket. India’s Shubman Gill appeared to confront the umpires over the decision, causing a delay and eventually drawing a five-run penalty for his team under time-wasting rules.

Simultaneously, England’s Jofra Archer raised questions about why the ball quality wasn’t consistent between matches, suggesting that some balls swung significantly more or less than others. The issue stirred debate on whether Dukes' hand-crafted method was leading to unpredictable results.

Jajodia Responds: “Just Get On With It”

Following the uproar, Dilip Jajodia responded publicly to the concerns. In an interview with leading media outlets, he said:

“I’m sorry the players were inconvenienced, but cricket isn’t a game of perfection. Every Dukes ball is handmade. Some variation is natural. The ball is expected to behave differently under different weather, pitch, and handling conditions. My message to the players is simple—get on with the game.”

He further emphasized that his team would investigate any possible quality control issues, but maintained that the Duke's manufacturing process hadn’t changed in decades and that no batch was defective by design.

The Dukes Ball: Quality or Questionable?

The Dukes ball has long been a preferred choice in England, favored for its pronounced seam, hand stitching, and enhanced swing. It is considered harder than the Kookaburra and SG balls, making it ideal for seaming conditions. But with modern cricket seeing an evolution in batting techniques, pitch preparations, and climate changes, players are noticing more frequent ball changes, seam misbehavior, and irregular wear.

Analysts noted that the ball used during the July Test at Lord’s might have faced premature deterioration due to humid conditions and frequent impacts against the boundary ropes. However, critics argue that the quality of manufacturing should still allow a Test ball to last longer than 10 overs.

Player Reactions: Mixed Sentiments

Shubman Gill, who was seen in animated conversation with the umpires, did not speak to the press post-match, but sources close to the Indian camp suggested he was unhappy with how the ball-change affected batting momentum. “Gill was well-set and wanted to face the same ball. The new one swung more, which affected his rhythm,” said a teammate.

On the English side, Jofra Archer voiced his concern via social media: "If we’re changing balls every 10 overs, what’s the point? Consistency should be non-negotiable." His tweet garnered over 200,000 views within 12 hours and sparked a wider conversation among current and former players.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan and India’s Ravichandran Ashwin also weighed in, calling for more stringent ball-testing protocols by the ICC before international matches.

ICC and Match Officials Respond

The International Cricket Council (ICC) released a short statement confirming that the match officials acted in accordance with law 4.5, which allows ball replacement if it is deemed “unfit for play.” However, no comment was made regarding manufacturing inconsistencies. The ICC has also requested a post-match report from the match referee.

As debate continues, several experts called for the introduction of **ball-tracking and pre-match seam balance checks**— especially in top-tier Tests where swing and seam behavior directly influence match results.

A Bigger Question: Is Handcrafting Still Viable?

While Dilip Jajodia remains a staunch supporter of traditional ball-making, some in the cricketing world are questioning whether modern needs require machine-standard consistency. With every Dukes ball handcrafted, small differences are bound to occur — but is that acceptable in the era of data-driven cricket?

Jajodia disagrees: “The uniqueness of Dukes is its strength. If you want machine perfection, go digital. But cricket is a game of feel, texture, and unpredictability.”

Conclusion

The controversy surrounding the Dukes ball at Lord’s has once again opened up the debate between tradition and technology, quality and consistency, and emotion versus regulation. While Dilip Jajodia’s passion for handcrafting cricket balls remains admirable, the expectations of modern-day players and the stakes of international matches demand reliability.

As the ICC reviews post-match reports and player complaints, the cricketing community will be watching closely. Will Dukes innovate without compromising legacy? Or will we see the start of a shift toward more standardized, tech-verified balls in the future of Test cricket?