India vs England 3rd Test Day 2 LIVE: Gill-Siraj’s Heated Umpire Clash Sparks Ball Tampering Debate Again
India vs England 3rd Test Day 2: Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj’s heated exchange with the umpire reignites ball tampering controversy. Follow LIVE updates
Jasprit Bumrah struck thrice in the first session to send England seven down but Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse stitched a solid unbeaten 82-run stand for the eighth wicket to put the Three Lions in command. Smith raced to his fifty while Carse is equally solid at the crease. England were 353 for 7 at Lunch on the day. In the first session, India asked for a ball change in 91st over.
The hoop test was done and the ball was changed. But the replacement ball comparatively looked much older and this saw India captain Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj involved in furious argument with umpire. The heated discussion also reignited the Dukes ball controversy.
This was not the final change as the ball was changed once again in the 99th over after getting out of shape. In the ongoing five-match series, Gill, England captain Ben Stokes and Rishabh Pant have already highlighted the issue of the Dukes ball getting out of shape too early.
The ongoing Test series between India and England took another dramatic turn on Day 2 of the 3rd Test, as Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj were involved in a heated on-field exchange with the umpires over the condition of the ball. The incident, which unfolded during England’s second innings, has reignited debates surrounding ball tampering, umpiring consistency, and sportsmanship in the longest format of the game.
The match, being played at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, was already poised on a knife’s edge after Day 1 saw aggressive batting from the Indian top order. However, it was the events of Day 2 that drew the most attention, not just for cricketing reasons but for the controversy that ensued.
It all started in the 48th over of England’s innings, when Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj expressed concerns about the ball losing its shape. According to on-field visuals and stump mic recordings, Siraj appealed to the standing umpire, Richard Illingworth, requesting a change of ball due to excessive wear.
When the umpires rejected the request after inspection, an animated Siraj was seen exchanging words with them. Soon after, Shubman Gill, who was fielding in the slips, joined the discussion, visibly frustrated. He was heard saying, “You allowed a change on Day 1 for them in similar conditions. Why not now?” — indirectly referencing an earlier moment in the series when England had successfully appealed for a ball change.
TV replays showed that the ball had indeed lost its shape slightly, but not enough to warrant a change under ICC regulations. This decision did not sit well with the Indian players, especially given the match context — England were scoring freely, and the bowlers were struggling to extract swing or seam.
The confrontation halted play for several minutes and led to the third umpire intervening briefly through communication with the on-field officials. Though tempers cooled down eventually, the footage quickly went viral, sparking a social media storm and heated debates among commentators and fans alike.
This is not the first time the India-England series has been clouded by ball controversy. In the 1st Test, England’s bowling unit benefited from a mid-session ball change, after which reverse swing helped them claw back into the match. Indian fans and former players have since pointed out alleged inconsistencies in how umpires are handling such requests.
While no direct allegations of ball tampering have been made in this instance, the Indian camp’s frustration highlights broader concerns about whether neutrality and protocol adherence are being compromised under pressure.
Part of the tension may also stem from Shubman Gill’s ongoing battle with form and scrutiny. While he did score a fluent 72 in India’s first innings, he has come under pressure for soft dismissals and missed catching opportunities. Analysts believe Gill’s outburst may reflect pent-up frustration.
Interestingly, Gill is not known for frequent on-field confrontations, making this incident stand out even more. Some observers, including fans on social media, hailed his passion and leadership, while others criticized him for undermining the umpires’ authority.
Siraj, India’s frontline fast bowler in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah (rested for this match), has taken over the responsibility with intensity. However, his aggressiveness has sometimes spilled over, as was evident in his animated appeals and body language on Day 2.
This latest incident adds to his reputation as a fiery competitor but also raises questions about player conduct and the spirit of the game, especially with the ICC Code of Conduct prohibiting prolonged arguments with match officials.
As of now, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has not issued any formal statement. However, sources from within the match referee’s office have indicated that the incident will be reviewed post-day play. If found guilty of dissent or code breach, the players could face fines or demerit points.
According to ICC Playing Conditions, umpires may replace the ball only if:
- The ball is out of shape beyond the accepted template measurement
- It is damaged in a way that affects fairness of play
- There is visible tampering
In this case, none of those thresholds may have been met, strengthening the umpires’ decision to continue with the existing ball.
Despite the controversy, Day 2 saw an intense battle between bat and ball. After India posted 402 in their first innings, England responded with 289/6 at stumps, thanks to a resilient half-century by Joe Root and counterattacking runs from Ben Foakes.
Mohammed Siraj managed to pick up two wickets, though without the swing he was hoping for. Ravindra Jadeja, playing on his home ground, chipped in with crucial breakthroughs.
This incident, though seemingly minor in isolation, adds tension to what has already been a fiercely competitive Test series. With the five-match series currently tied 1-1, every moment on and off the field could have a ripple effect.
India’s team management is expected to take a measured stance in the post-day press conference, focusing on gameplay rather than officiating. However, privately, there’s growing concern about how decisions like ball changes can influence momentum.
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