Mohammad Azharuddin Surprised Over SG Ball Criticism

Former India skipper Mohammad Azharuddin has expressed his surprise over the recent criticism of SG ball.

The quality of the SG balls have come under fire after India skipper Virat Kohli and pacer Umesh Yadav expressed their concerns over the same. Left-arm spinner Kuldeep Yadav had also gone on to criticise the quality of the ball. Surprisingly, the criticism came even though both the bowlers and the team blew away West Indies in the recently-concluded Test series.

Kuldeep had expressed his concern after picking up six wickets in the first Test at Rajkot. On the other hand, Yadav did the same during the second Test before going on to take career-best 10-wicket haul in the game. Before the start of the second Test, captain Kohli had also did the same. Kohli had said that the SG ball gets scuffed up too early and brings down players’ performance significantly as a result. He had gone on to vouch for the Dukes ball to be used uniformly in Test matches around the world.

However, the recent criticism of the ball which is in use in India for almost last 25 years has not gone down well Mohammad Azharuddin. The former batsman said that he is surprised over the recent turn of events.

“I remember the years – since 1984-85 – when the Dukes balls were used and how the seam used to go rough. It was clear that in Indian conditions they wouldn’t work. It was in 1993 when the SG was first introduced and India went on to dominate all cricket they played at home. Look at the overall country-wise average of bowlers bowling with different balls in different conditions. That will give you the answer. So, what’s the fuss about?” Azharuddin told Cricbuzz.

Azharuddin further pointed to the statistics to back his claims. Well, the former cricketer was spot on with his assessment.

Only five of the last 25 games played in India have ended up not yielding a result – and two of them – South Africa 2015 and Sri Lanka 2017 – were heavily rain-affected. Moreover, there have been a total of 58 five-wicket hauls in the Indian domestic circuit in 2017-18 season at an average of 23.45. On the other hand, England and Australia have witnessed 52 and 25 five-wicket hauls respectively.

“I really can’t understand what their (Team India) grouse is. Statistics say everything,” said Azharuddin.

“When our spinners go to Australia, they find it tough to even grip the Kookaburra. In England, look at how Ashwin delivered and how Moeen Ali did (with the Dukes).

“If you’ve taken six wickets (Kuldeep Yadav’s haul in the Rajkot Test), then how can you complain about the ball? Even in pace bowling, Yadav picked a 10 wicket haul, no? So, where’s the complaint?” he added.

Azharuddin concluded by saying that instead of all the public criticism of the ball, the players should approach the right party to express their concerns.

“If there is a problem with the ball, go to the manufacturer and tell them what’s required to be done. I heard that there were some complaints about how the seam is not up enough and all. Whatever the case, just call them and let them know.

“If I had a problem with my bat during the playing days, I would go to the maker and tell him what problem I was facing and ask the makers to work on it, do something about it,” he said.