With increasing indignation from players during the current India-England Test series, owner of Dukes balls Dilip Jajodia has fired back by calling upon elite cricketers to be patient and view the issue from a more understanding perspective.
In spite of escalating frustration among both Indian and English players at the ball becoming shapeless too quickly, Jajodia insisted that his company stood firm on resolving the issues—without acting in haste.
Speaking on the sidelines of the third Test at Lord's, Jajodia admitted the grievances but defended the difficulties in making quality cricket balls. "There are only three recognized manufacturers of world cricket (Dukes, SG and Kookaburra). It's not an easy (task) making a cricket ball. And if it's easy, there'd be hundreds and hundreds of manufacturers across the globe," he stated.
Jajodia insisted his team is actively working on solutions. “We’re trying our best. And if there’s an issue, it will be reviewed. Whether it is a fault with the leather or there’s a fault with something else—we will look into it. I’m not sitting around with my feet up smoking a cigar,” he said.
Day 3 of the Lord's Test saw Dukes ball being replaced twice in one session, in a game where it had gone out of shape, evoking visible frustration among Indian players. This comes after individual complaints early in the series from players such as Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant, who were worried about how often the ball was losing its hardness.
Even ex-England pace great Stuart Broad, who took most of his 604 Test wickets on the Dukes, criticised its current longevity. But Jajodia defended the criticism, demanding equity. "The players can criticize my cricket ball. Can I criticize them for the bad shot or the bad ball? Long hop. You know what I mean? You've got to be sensible," he said.
The superstars can complain. They're the paymasters. I have to deliver what they want. That's all I can say to that. It's easy as anything (to criticise). And people must be careful that when they say that, it's not just criticizing me or my ball. There are a lot of people behind me. Jobs are involved. So we must be careful. Always be careful, be generous," Jajodia said.
Jajodia said that there can be a variety of reasons for the Dukes ball's fast deterioration in recent games.
"Weather is a very big factor, playing conditions, what kind of cricket is being played, what kind of bats are being used, the calibre of the players. You have to accept that there are variations," he said.
Bats are very strong. Ball is going out of the boundary, hard things occasionally. And when you observe a ball, it's a miracle that it survives 80 overs."
He further said that if alterations are to be made to adjust to contemporary cricket, it would be the responsibility of the governing bodies to assess and implement them.
In spite of the on-going series, Jajodia asserted that no direct contact has been made with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on the matter.
"There is no instinctive reaction and knee jerk reaction. We're in the middle of a Test series. With utmost respect, there have been two results in the previous game where India have won the match. Captain Gill has scored more runs than any other Indian has. Two bowlers picked six wickets. So all I can say is, I'm sorry for the trouble, but at least you're playing cricket," he said.
With the SG ball being right now the dominating ball in Indian cricket, both at home and abroad, Jajodia announced that Dukes is looking to extend its presence in India.
Presently importing unfinished goods from Meerut and finishing them in the UK, Dukes will start finishing balls in India as well in the near future. Jajodia has already opened an official office during one of his recent visits to Bengaluru, where he also met BCCI officials who are presently testing Dukes balls. Seasoned administrator Brijesh Patel will look after Dukes' operations in India.
"I was simply importing balls from Meerut and finishing them here. But now we will finish them in India too. We are increasing our presence since we feel that India now—the moment is correct. I mean, the economy, the level of enthusiasm, the facilities which BCCI are investing in cricket, the facility in Bangalore," he stated.
"And honestly, looking at that facility and the investment and the grounds and everything, India will be a powerhouse for years. I have talked to the BCCI officials, they are trying out the balls."
Jajodia feels that the Indian market requires more options and competition in the segment of cricket balls. Though he did not mention SG by name, he alluded to the dominant market position of the company.
"The BCCI seeks competition. I mean, it's reasonable. You can't have a monopoly. There is essentially a monopoly, a great number of manufacturers, but there's one big business."
Under Dukes' India plan, Jajodia mentioned that the attention will not be exclusively on top-level cricket but also domestic and state-level leagues. But he underscored better quality comes for a price.
"I am not simply wanting the top level. Because when you mention top level, you mention state cricket and you mention the leagues in the states, they all want an improved ball. But they're all wanting a ball for 400 rupees. That won't be possible. You must pay more for a good quality," he concluded.
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