IPL 2025 | Use of saliva has definitely made an impact on getting reverse swing: Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma.
| Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

Ahead of the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the decision-makers revoked the ban on saliva for the purpose of shining the ball. It came on the back of consensus among the captains of the 10 franchises that the ban was hampering the ability to garner reverse swing and thus skewing the balance between bat and ball. Applying saliva on the ball, an age-old practice in cricket, had been banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2020 in view of health concerns that arose at the height of the Covid pandemic.

While the ban stays in international cricket, the decision of the IPL to allow the use of saliva to polish the ball has been welcomed by fast bowlers. Delhi Capitals medium-pacer Mohit Sharma said on Tuesday that reverse swing has again become a factor in the death overs.

“It has made a difference 100%. In a majority of the games, the ball is tailing in,” Mohit told reporters. “It is because saliva is heavy. Sweat isn’t that heavy. When the ball is heavy on one side, it will reverse. There isn’t a lot of dew on most grounds. And even when there is dew, the ball will reverse if you maintain it well. Allowing saliva has definitely made an impact on getting reverse swing.”

Gujarat Titans pacer Mohammed Siraj had made similar observations after claiming four for 17 against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 6. With the ball reversing in that game, Siraj was able to get the better of Aniket Verma in the 19th over with a pinpoint yorker that swung in late and trapped the batter in front of the stumps.