Shubman Gill and Co. clash with umpires over ball change drama on Day 5 at Headingley

Indian captain Shubman Gill, paceman Mohammed Siraj, and all-rounder Shardul Thakur were left frustrated and disappointed by the umpires on Day 5 of the ongoing first Test against England at Headingley. The ball change saga is once again heating up at Headingley.

The final day of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy opener at Headingley is packed with tension, action, drama, and emotion. While India needs 10 wickets to win, England is now 260 runs away from their target of 371 runs to win the first Test on Tuesday, June 24.

Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur left fuming over ball change refusal at Headingley

In the early overs on Day 5, English openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett faced India’s new-ball attack led by Jasprit Bumrah without giving away many chances. But frustration flared up in the Indian camp as wickets dried up and the ball lost its bite.

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Mohammed Siraj went to the on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney multiple times, asking to replace the worn ball. But the umpires checked it using the "ring test" and cleared it for use every time, leaving the Indian pacer angry and frustrated.

The umpires didn’t change the ball despite cries from the Indian players, and England batters were scoring runs freely on Day 5. Siraj first asked during the 14th over, only to be turned down. Frustrated yet again, Siraj tried after the next over, but Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney turned down his request.

Umpires reject Shubman Gill's request to change the ball

Then, Shubman Gill went in a few overs later at the start of the 22nd over. Still, the umpires stood by their call, rejecting Shubman Gill's request. When Shardul Thakur finally made the request two balls later, the Headingley crowd booed loudly until the ball was cleared and play resumed.

Even during England’s first innings, India had requested the new balls many times, but they were denied. Rishabh Pant had to face the ICC panishment for showing displeasure at the umpire.

Back in the 2022 Edgbaston Test between India and England, the ball was changed by the umpires in the 21st over of the hosts’ innings. It was a turning point during England’s big chase of 378 runs. Right after changing the ball, Jasprit Bumrah made an immediate impact.

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In just a few overs, he broke the 100-plus opening stand and quickly dismissed three batters, reducing England from 106/0 to 109/3. That ball change ended up playing a big role in shifting the momentum in India’s favor, but still England managed to win that Test match by seven wickets.

India still hunt for first breakthrough on Day 5 at Headingley

Presently, the Shubman Gill-led Indian cricket team is still searching for their first breakthrough, as the England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett have set and are firing all the guns blazing. Duckett (64*) already smashed his fifty, and Crawley is also racing towards his fifty against India.

Now, England needs 254 runs in 66 overs with 10 wickets in their hand, which puts India under immense pressure as they are looking for their first win at Headingley after 23 years. Before the lunch break, England’s score read 117/0 in 30 overs. Crawley and Duckett would love to carry forward the momentum to seal the thrilling win for the hosts against India in the first Test.