Responding to the recent matter of the Sanspareils Greenlands (SG) ball being used all across the country for Test and First Class circuit, former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin expressed his dismay on the matter saying that he could not understand what exactly lead the players to have their reservations against the SG ball.
According to a report in Cricbuzz, Azharuddin said, "I remember the years - since 1984-85 - when the Dukes balls were used and how the seam used to go rough. It was clear that in Indian conditions they wouldn't work. It was in 1993 when the SG was first introduced and India went on to dominate all cricket they played at home. Look at the overall country-wise average of bowlers bowling with different balls in different conditions. That will give you the answer. So, what's the fuss about?".
Just three days after the final Test between India vs West Indies, fast bowler Umesh Yadav went on record to criticize the SG ball being used in the country.
While Umesh bowled brilliantly to take a 10-wicket haul and help his side win the second Test against Windies in Hyderabad; leg-spinner Kuldeep Yadav picked up six wickets in the first Test at Rajkot. Kuldeep, too expressed his opinion on the same.
Not only that, senior players like R Ashwin and Captain Virat Kohli had expressed their desire to replace the SG ball with the Dukes ball, manufactured in England.