Shubman Gill, the captain of India, criticized the Dukes ball's rapid deterioration on Sunday before criticizing the flat pitch tendency that has been observed in the series' first two Test matches despite strong individual performances.  

His words came after India defeated England by 336 runs at the Edgbaston Test scoring 587 and 427/6d. England had replied with 408 and 271.

Even in the first Test, India had made 471 and 364, while England made 465 and chased down 371 runs with ease.

Even though Gill has already amassed nearly 600 runs in his four innings, he believes that pitches should have something to offer bowlers in the long run. With the softer ball 30 overs and beyond encouraging teams to be on the offensive, the Dukes' quality isn't helping either.

“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,” he said in response to a PTI query.

“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," the Indian skipper 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,” said Gill after the series-leveling win at Edgbaston.

Gill, who had just won his maiden Test match as captain, also found humor in his observations on English surfaces.

“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),” he said.

The third Test of the series will be played At Lord’s from July 10 onwards with the series 1-1.

“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,” Gill signed off.

Jasprit Bumrah will make his return to India XI after being rested for the second Test.

(PTI inputs)