'There is no conspiracy' - Dukes ball owner Dilip Jajodia on Ashes ball-change controversy

In the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval, the umpires were forced to change the ball after it hit Usman Khawaja’s helmet and changed its shape. However, other than picking an old ball, the umpires decided to pick a relatively new ball, which created a lot of controversy. Khawaja himself complained about the same, but the umpire interestingly mentioned that there were no other balls in the box. That eventually frustrated the visiting team as they went on to lose the match by 49 runs.

The conversation regarding the ball didn’t really stop there as Khawaja at the end of the day, asked ICC to interfere and judge the situation. However, Dukes ball owner Dilip Jajodia mentioned that there is no conspiracy and thus, there is no reason for an investigation. He also added saying that the ball wasn’t really old as it has been claimed, and hence, the discussions need to stop.

“Well, I didn't actually say I wanted to do an investigation. Okay? Misquoted!. Everybody seems to want to do (an) investigation. I don't know what, why there is a point of making an investigation," Jajodia told Cricbuzz on Sunday.

“It is absolutely false. There is no evidence that a 2019 ball had gone (there). I mean, I don't know who says this and nobody does any checks. It's not to have a ball going back four or five years, you know, in the spare box, ball box. So that's the end of it. There's no conspiracy, so to speak,” he added.

People are always looking for excuses to create drama: Jajodia

Jajodia added that Australia were trying to make an excuse as they eventually went on to lose the match. He clarified yet again that there was nothing wrong with the ball, so no investigation was needed.

“You know, that's what cricket's about. And it surprises me that people are always looking for excuses to create a drama. At the end of the day, the Australians lost. And so they're alleging that. The ball had to be changed because it hit Usman Khawaja on his helmet. There's nothing wrong with the ball. So it's the end of the matter. There is no probe, nothing,” Jajodia added.