Dukes’ balls have been the most bowler-friendly balls when it comes to red-ball cricket. However, for the last few years, the balls have been going out of shape quite quickly, and also thanks to wickets which are less spicy in England these days, the batting has become quite easy, and bowlers have found it difficult to pick wickets.
Addressing the fact about balls, Shubman Gill, after the match, said, “It is very difficult for the bowlers. I think 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 wickets or whatever. It is difficult for the bowlers. It is very difficult to get a wicket in such conditions, when there is nothing there.”
“And as a team, when you know that it is difficult to get a wicket, when you know that it is difficult to get a wicket in such conditions, a lot of things are out of your control. There should be a little help for the bowlers. If the ball is doing something, then you can plan something in some way, and then it is fun to play,” Gill added.
“If you know that only the first 20 overs or something will happen, after that you are on the defensive all day, you are thinking all day about how to stop the runs. Then the essence of the game comes out of it,” Gill observed.
Unlike previous years, India has travelled to England the conditions have been kinder for batting this time around. “Yes, like we play in India, most of them are friendly. It feels good to come here and get good pitches for a while (laughs).”
“We will see what kind of wicket they are giving to the Lord’s. I don’t think they will give such a flat wicket. This is my feeling. But we will go there and take a decision and we will see what kind of wicket it is, what is the best possible combination.”
