Dilip Jajodia, the manufacturer of Dukes cricket balls, publicly responded on September 2, 2026, to criticism from England cricketer Joe Root regarding the uniformity and quality of the balls used in the England versus Pakistan series, per a report by The Indian Express.
Jajodia stated that the manufacturing process remains consistent and that variations are inherent in a product crafted from natural raw materials. Dilip Jajodia stated in the report that one cannot expect total uniformity in a man-made product made of natural raw materials.
No official technical audit report from the England and Wales Cricket Board or the International Cricket Council regarding the specific batch of balls used in the series has been released to confirm or refute Root's claims. Joe Root and several players in the England dressing room have reportedly complained about the ball's shape and seam durability during the ongoing series.
This dispute mirrors the 2021 controversy during the India-England Test series where players raised concerns over the visibility and durability of the Dukes ball. Professional cricketers and the England and Wales Cricket Board face potential ongoing frustration regarding equipment standards, which may lead to formal requests for stricter quality control protocols from the International Cricket Council.
