ENG vs IND 2025: 'If it doesn't last 10 overs, repeatedly changing the ball is not a good thing' - Anil Kumble on ball-controversy at Lord's

Former India Test skipper Anil Kumble has urged alterations in cricket regulations, including lifting the ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball and reinstating the quality of the Duke’s ball. His comments come amid ever-growing criticism in the ongoing third Test between England and India at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, where problems with the Dukes ball have caught the attention of the cricket fraternity.

During England's first innings on Day 2, the Shubman Gill-led side was forced to change the ball twice within a 10-over span because of too much wear and loss of shape — a rare and worrying development in Test cricket. The umpires checked with the hoop, but the balls wouldn't go through. The frequent ball changes prompted players and experts to question the build quality of the current batch of Duke’s balls.

Kumble said that the balls getting soft so quickly raises concerns. The highest wicket-taker in international cricket for India mentioned that changing the ball too often isn't a good thing for the sport.

“Yes, it is only fair that the ball is getting soft or needs to be changed because it's getting out of shape consistently and too frequently. Something needs to be done for sure. If it doesn't last 10 overs, repeatedly changing the ball is not a good thing — not just for cricket, but the ball as well," Kumble said while speaking on ESPNcricinfo.

“I guess it is fair that you bring back what is available from five years ago,” he said, backing calls for bringing back the previous version of the Duke's ball, which was famous for its durability and consistent swing.

In a related suggestion, Kumble urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to lift the ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball — a restriction implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and still in effect for international matches.

“That'll certainly help — shine the ball better and make it reverse at least,” the former India head coach said. “Today, there aren't many occasions where the ball reverses, especially in these conditions.”

He pointed to the dry surfaces and sultry weather during the Lord’s Test, suggesting such conditions should normally promote reverse swing, but noted that hasn’t been the case, primarily because the ball is losing shape quickly.

The BCCI lifted the saliva ban during the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), and many current and former fast bowlers welcomed the decision.