Shubman Gill was seen arguing with the on-field umpires in an animated manner on Day 2 at Lord's.
The Lord's Test is no different. However, things turned a bit ugly in the morning session on Day 2 as India skipper Shubman Gill was seen arguing with the on-field umpires in an animated manner.
Gill and pacer Mohammed Siraj were unhappy with the replacement ball handed out for the second new ball, which came about after just 10.3 overs of use.
After the close of play on Day 2, England’s star batter Joe Root addressed the issue and made a radical suggestion, saying that each team should be given three chances to swap the ball over the course of 80 overs.
Root claimed that this would help ease frustration regarding the repeated changing of the Dukes ball.
Talking about India's frustration, Jasprit Bumrah had picked up three wickets in 14 balls, but after the ball change, the visitors failed to get any assistance from the pitch, and Brydon Carse and Jamie Smith propelled England past the 350-run mark.
The ball was then changed again, 48 deliveries after the previous change. As a result, the Dukes ball drew backlash from all corners.
"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," Root told reporters after stumps.
"But the rings have to be the right size, not too big," he added.
Root also took a dig at India, saying that teams need to stop complaining and get on with it. He further stated that one cannot keep wasting time and slowing the game down.
"That would be a nice way of compromising and saying it's not all on the manufacturer. Sometimes these things happen, but you can't just keep asking and wasting time and slowing the game down at the same time," he said.
Joe Root, who was unbeaten on 99 at stumps on Day 1, notched up his 37th Test ton on the very first ball of the day with a boundary off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah.
"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," said Root.
Coming to the Lord's Test, England posted 387 on the board in their first innings while India are 145/3 with KL Rahul and Rishabh Pant unbeaten at the crease. The tourists are still trailing by 242 runs.