Mohammad Azharuddin is Wrong on Duke Balls, India's Ball Company Maker

The head of India’s ball company maker of Duke ball, Dilip Jajodia has said former Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin is wrong regarding his statements on the ball. Azhar had recently said that he doesn’t see anything wrong with the current SG balls. SG balls give an advantage to the Indian team in their home conditions.

On the other hand, Indian skipper Virat Kohli has backed the usage of Duke ball in Test cricket for every country. In fact, India’s bowlers Umesh Yadav and Kuldeep Yadav have also put their weight behind their skipper. In fact, former legendary spinner Shane Warne had also asked for the usage of Duke ball in the red ball version of the game.

Kohli is not an idiot, says Dilip Jajodia.

Meanwhile, different countries use different kinds of balls as there are no specific rules from the ICC. Dilip said, Virat Kohli and Umesh Yadav, are not idiots.

“I know Mohammad Azharuddin very well. I respect his views, but he is wrong on this. Kohli, Umesh Yadav and others are not idiots to ask for Dukes even after winning handsomely against the West Indies in India. Azhar may be telling an old, out-of-date story”, Jajodia said as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Jajodia believes it is not correct to use the same balls all over the world as it makes sense to use one particular ball according to the conditions.

“It is incorrect to suggest that the same ball be used in all cricket matches all over the world, for the simple reason that not all pitches are the same. The solution is to have bespoke balls, suited for local conditions, but adhering to the same high standards as that of Dukes”.

Dukes balls will be suitable to Indian conditions.

In fact, Dilip Jajodia said Dukes balls are suitable to be used in the Indian conditions. Therefore, it can be used in the Indian conditions.

“Kohli came up on his own with the demand for Dukes in a press conference. The bowlers complained even though they did well against the West Indies, much against what Azhar has said. There is no issue at all about the suitability of Dukes balls in Indian conditions”.

Virat Kohli had earlier said the following while talking in press-conference during the second Test match against the Windies.

“The Dukes ball, I think, is the most suited ball for Test cricket. If there’s a situation I would vouch for that to be used all over the world because of the consistency of the ball and how the bowlers are in the game at any stage, even the spinners, because the seam is so hard and upright.”

It makes sense to use the Duke ball as the seam of the ball stays longer intact. Thus, Kohli and the rest of the players have backed it.