‘Ball becomes like an egg’ – R Ashwin suggests IPL, bilaterals have inferior quality Kookaburras compared to ICC events
R Ashwin has cast doubt on the quality of the balls used in the IPL compared to those used in ICC tournaments following the conclusion of the 2023 World Cup.
Ashwin was speaking in the latest video on his YouTube channel, where he reflected on the tournament after India’s seven-wicket defeat in the final. Part of his reflection was on the balls used during the competition and how their difference in quality from those used in other forms of cricket affected the way the seam behaved.
“We use the white Kookaburra ball for the IPL, bilateral series and ICC trophies,” said Ashwin. “But my doubt is, does the quality of the ball remain the same in the IPL and bilateral series compared to ICC events? Because according to whatever I’ve seen in ICC events, if a spinner rotates the ball on the seam or a pacer bowls an inswinger, the ball lands on the seam. Whereas in the IPL, the ball sometimes becomes like a round vessel or a lemon or sometimes even an egg.”
Ashwin played 13 matches for Rajasthan Royals in the 2023 IPL, in which he 14 wickets at an average of 26.29. He only featured in one game during the 2023 World Cup, having been called up shortly before the tournament as an injury replacement for Axar Patel. In that game, India’s first match of the tournament against Australia, he returned figures of 1-34 in a comfortable India win.
“If we keep the ball inside a store room, the ball collects moisture,” continued Ashwin. “It soaks too much, the shape of the ball change, the quality of the ball changes. I think if the ball is given the same quality there will be a huge difference in those tournaments too because the bilaterals and IPL are instrumental in the selection of the players. So it will be a test for the batsman and the bowlers if the same quality balls are given ”
The 2024 edition of the IPL is expected to run between March 23 and May 29, finishing just days before the start of the 2024 T20 World Cup which is set to start on June 4 in the Caribbean.
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