Not just the India vs England Test series, but the makers of the Dukes balls have also been making headlines in the past week. The players have been giving negative feedback, both on and off the field, prompting the experts to discuss it till eternity. In fact, an animated argument between Indian captain Shubman Gill and the on-field umpire on the second day of the Lord’s Test might have given an idea of what is going on. Amid the uproar, Dukes ball-owner Dilip Jajodia wants the ‘superstars of the game’ to show more patience and be more reasonable in their approach towards the controversial subject. Speaking with PTI, Jajodia said his company, with a history dating back to the 18th century, is open to making improvements on the ball, keeping in mind the unusually hot weather in the UK and demands of the modern game where batters are pounding the ball with rather heavy bats. “There are only three recognised manufacturers in world cricket (Dukes, SG and Kookaburra). It’s not easy (making a cricket ball). And if it were easy, there’d be hundreds and hundreds of manufacturers around the world,” Jajodia was quoted as saying. “So, I think the players need to realise that we are not sitting back doing nothing. We’re trying our best. And if there’s an issue, it will be reviewed and we look at it and see where the problem is, whether it is a fault with the leather or there’s a fault with something else. We will look into it. I’m not sitting around with my feet up smoking a cigar.” “The players can criticise my cricket ball. Can I criticise them for the bad shot or the bad ball? Long hop. You know what I mean? You’ve got to be sensible,” he added. The Dukes ball changed twice in the morning session on day three of the Lord’s Test. After getting a 10-over ball changed, the Indian players remained extremely unhappy, leading to another change in a matter of minutes. “The superstars can argue. They’re the paymasters. I have to produce what they want. That’s all I can say to that. It’s very easy (to criticise). “And people should be careful that when they make this criticism, it’s not just criticising me or my ball. There are a lot of people behind me. Jobs are at stake. So we have to be careful. Always be careful, be generous,” cautioned Jajodia. Ahead of the Test, Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant had expressed frustration at the ball going soft and out of shape so frequently. Former England pacer Stuart Broad, who took the majority of his 604 Test wickets with the Dukes, too, has spoken against the fast deteriorating ball. But why is the Duke getting out of shape so often? Jajodia spoke about several factors that may have contributed to the ball getting soft and out of shape rather quickly. “Weather is quite a major factor, playing conditions, the type of cricket being played, the type of bats being used, and the strength of the players. You have to accept that there are changes. The bats are very powerful. The ball is hitting outside the boundary from time to time. And when you look at a ball, it’s a miracle that it lasts 80 overs. “And if these changes need adaptation, then that is something that the authorities have to consider,” he said.