India’s third Test at Lord’s didn’t begin as they had hoped, with England reaching a strong 153/2 by the tea break on Day 1. Despite the return of Jasprit Bumrah and a well-balanced bowling attack, skipper Shubman Gill and his team found it difficult to break the partnership between Joe Root (41*) and Ollie Pope (24*).
The English pair were looking solid, showing patience and application against the Indian bowlers. As the session dragged on with no wickets in sight, India sought help from a different source—the match officials.
After the 42nd over, with the ball showing signs of wear and offering little assistance to the bowlers, Gill approached on-field umpire Sharfuddoula to request a ball inspection. Hoping it would be deemed unfit and replaced, India looked on as the fourth umpire arrived with the box of replacement balls.
However, before the official could even reach the players, Sharfuddoula waved him off, having judged that the current ball was still in playable condition. Gill walked away visibly disappointed, while Akash Deep geared up to bowl his next over.
Akash Deep’s over failed to swing the momentum back, going for a run a ball and featuring a half-hearted LBW appeal. With the frustration building and the ball still not aiding the bowlers, Gill decided to give it another go—this time turning to the other on-field umpire, Paul Reiffel. The Australian umpire agreed to a second inspection, and after a brief discussion with his colleague, he decided in India’s favour and allowed for the ball to be changed.
The abrupt switch in decisions left many puzzled. In a span of just six deliveries, the ball went from being acceptable to suddenly warranting a change. The inconsistency raised eyebrows and led to a flurry of reactions online, with fans and pundits questioning the clarity and communication between the two umpires.
— BavumaTheKing Temba (@bavumathek83578) July 10, 2025
— BavumaTheKing Temba (@bavumathek83578) July 10, 2025
The brief drama highlighted the level of scrutiny and pressure in high-stakes Test matches. For India, it was a small but crucial win in an otherwise frustrating session. Though the change of ball may have brought momentary relief, it also served as a reminder of how even the smallest moments can draw attention and controversy in the modern game.