'Essence of the game goes missing': Shubman Gill slams Dukes ball, flat pitches

NEW DELHI: India captain Shubman Gill may be rewriting the record books with nearly 600 runs in just four innings this series, but the young skipper has voiced strong concerns over the fast-deteriorating quality of the Dukes ball and the unresponsive nature of English pitches so far.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Speaking after India’s resounding 336-run win over England in the second Test at Edgbaston - his maiden win as Test captain - Gill was forthright about the challenges facing bowlers in the series.

“It is very difficult for the bowlers,” said Gill.“More than the wicket, maybe the ball is out of shape very quickly. It gets soft very quickly. I don't know what it is - whether it is the wickets or the ball.

But it's very difficult to get a wicket in such conditions when there's nothing there.”

The Dukes ball, traditionally known for its durability and seam movement, has come under scrutiny for losing shape and hardness after just 30 overs - a concern raised by multiple players in recent years.Gill lamented how the lack of assistance from both the pitch and ball reduces strategic depth in the game: “If the ball is doing something, then you can plan something in some way, and then it is fun to play,” he said.

“If only the first 20 overs matter and after that you're just defending all day, then the essence of the game goes missing.”

On the flat surface, Gill scored 269 and 161 at Edgbaston, but insists such pitches reduce the competitiveness of Test cricket. He added with a laugh: “Like we play in India, most pitches are friendly. It feels good to come here and get good pitches for a while.”Looking ahead to the third Test at Lord’s, starting July 10, Gill isn’t expecting another road: “I don’t think they will give such a flat wicket. But we’ll assess it and decide the best possible combination.”