London, July 12 - Jasprit Bumrah has offered a measured response to the growing controversy surrounding the repeated Dukes ball changes during the second day of the third Test between India and England at Lord’s. While questions have been swirling around the quality of the ball and the impact it had on the match, Bumrah chose his words carefully, avoiding any remarks that could attract sanctions.

"The ball gets changed, I don’t actually have control over that," Bumrah said at the post-day press conference. "I do not want to say anything controversial and have my match fees taken away. We just bowl with what is provided for us."

His comments came after multiple interruptions on Day 2 due to the ball going out of shape, prompting India to request replacements. This led to several delays and a visible argument between Shubman Gill and the umpires. Gill’s persistent appeals for a ball change led to a five-run penalty being awarded to England for time-wasting, further igniting the debate around how such situations should be handled.

The Dukes ball, traditionally used in English Test matches, is known for maintaining its shape and swing longer than other red balls. However, several players, including Ben Stokes and Stuart Broad, have recently criticised the current batch of balls for becoming soft and losing shape far too quickly. Broad even remarked that it was affecting the quality of the contest.

Despite the heated discussion around the ball, Bumrah let his performance do the talking. The Indian pace spearhead delivered a masterclass at Lord’s, picking up 5 wickets for 74 runs. His spell dismantled England’s top and middle order, including key wickets of Joe Root, Ben Stokes, and Harry Brook. Bumrah’s ability to generate movement and maintain relentless accuracy, regardless of the ball’s condition, stood out as a highlight of the day.

England were bowled out for 387 in their first innings, with Root scoring a valiant 104 before falling to Bumrah. India’s response saw them reach 123 for 2 by stumps on Day 2, still trailing by 264 runs.

The ball controversy, however, is far from settled. Joe Root also weighed in, suggesting the need for a structured limit on how often teams can appeal for a ball change. He proposed allowing a maximum of three ball-change requests per 80 overs to prevent delays and maintain the flow of the game.

For now, Bumrah’s decision to stay away from controversy reflects a focus on professionalism and performance. As questions around the Dukes ball continue to grow louder, India’s premier fast bowler has once again let his bowling do all the talking.