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"Be Skilful Enough To Adapt…" Joe Root Takes A Dig At Indian Captain Shubman Gill

Aakash Saini

Shubman Gill and Joe Root [Source: @UmpireFourth, @academy_dinda/x]Shubman Gill and Joe Root [Source: @UmpireFourth, @academy_dinda/x]

England batting great Joe Root has proposed a strategy of tackling the repeated changing of the Dukes ball, claiming that each team must be given three chances of swapping the ball at any point during the course of 80 overs. Root expressed his opinion after Team India captain Shubman Gill had an argument with the on-field umpire over the replacement of the second new ball on Day 2 of the Lord’s Test.

As it happened, Jasprit Bumrah started out the day with three quick wickets for India. However, the dukes ball lost its shape too soon, prompting the umpires to change the second new ball within the first hour.

Joe Root Urges Team To Adjust To The Conditions

While speaking with the reporters at the end of Day 2, Joe Root proposed an idea of allowing captains three chances of swapping the ball during the course of 80 overs in an innings. He said:

“I personally think that if you want to keep getting the ball changed then each team gets three challenges every 80 overs and that's it, if you want to get it changed. But the rings have to be the right size, not too big.”

Joe Root also added that players should “not make a big deal” if the balls are going out of shape. He urged captains and teams to adjust to the conditions, even if the ball stops swinging at any point. He added:

“It's one of those things where if the balls are going out of shape, you change them, and you don't make a big deal out of it. I don't think it's the end of the world. I think it adds a different dynamic to the game and you've got to be skilful enough to adapt to the changes, whether it stops swinging or starts swinging or does a little bit more.”

Earlier on Day 2, Indian captain Shubman Gill got into an argument with the on-field umpire, alleging that the new dukes ball went out of shape much earlier than expected. While the umpires altered the ball, the Indian bowlers were further demoralized as England’s lower-order batters Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse both went on to record fiery half-centuries.

Nonetheless, the Englishmen were eventually bundled out for 387 courtesy of a clean-up job from Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.