Fast Bowlers Welcome Decision, but Concerns Over Batting Dominance Persist
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to lift the ban on using saliva to shine the ball in the upcoming 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), a move that has been met with enthusiasm by fast bowlers. However, concerns remain about whether this change will be enough to counter the increasing dominance of batsmen in T20 cricket.
Background: The Saliva Ban and Its Reversal
The ban on using saliva was initially introduced in 2020 as a Covid-19 health measure and made permanent by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2022. However, after discussions with IPL franchise captains, the BCCI has reinstated the practice for the tournament, which begins on Saturday, featuring defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens.
The move is seen as an effort to support fast bowlers, who often struggle in batting-friendly conditions in T20 cricket.
Bowlers React: A Welcome Change, but Will It Matter?
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, who will be playing for Gujarat Titans this season, called the decision “excellent news” for bowlers.
“When the ball isn’t doing much, using saliva will help in maintaining shine and increase the chances of reverse swing,” Siraj told Press Trust of India. “Scrubbing the ball against the shirt doesn’t help, but saliva can aid movement, especially under dry conditions.”
Veteran pacer Mohammed Shami, who had previously urged the ICC to reconsider the saliva ban, also supported the move.
“We keep appealing for it so that reverse swing can return and make the game more interesting,” he said after India’s Champions Trophy semi-final win over Australia.
The decision has also been welcomed by former fast bowlers, including South Africa’s Vernon Philander and New Zealand’s Tim Southee.
A Batter’s Game: Will This Change the Balance?
While the return of saliva may aid fast bowlers, some experts believe it won’t significantly shift the balance in favor of bowlers in T20 cricket.
- Last season, IPL batters smashed a record 1,260 sixes, averaging one every 13 balls.
- In 2023, Gujarat pacer Yash Dayal was hit for five sixes in an over by Rinku Singh, forcing him to take a mental health break due to online trolling.
- The highest total in IPL history—263 for five by RCB in 2013—was surpassed four times in 2024, highlighting the increasing dominance of batsmen.
Cricket analyst Sharda Ugra believes the rule change is too minor to make a real difference.
“Allowing saliva is just a minor tweak; it does not address the fundamental issue of flat, lifeless pitches that heavily favor batsmen,” she told the BBC. “For a real balance, changes need to be made in pitch preparation and match conditions.”
Former fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad also raised health concerns, urging caution.
“The saliva ban was introduced to maintain cleanliness, and we cannot predict when a new virus may emerge,” he told The Times of India.
Will the ICC Reconsider the Saliva Ban in International Cricket?
The BCCI’s decision has reignited debate over whether the ICC should allow saliva use in international cricket, especially in Test matches, where reverse swing plays a crucial role.
Spin great Ravichandran Ashwin, who recently retired from international cricket, questioned the research behind the initial ban.
“The ICC claimed saliva didn’t impact reverse swing much, but if that’s the case, why not allow it again?” he asked on his YouTube channel.
However, it is unclear if the ICC, under chairman Jay Shah, will reconsider its stance.
For now, IPL fast bowlers will have a slight advantage with the return of saliva, but unless there are fundamental changes to pitch conditions and playing regulations, T20 cricket is likely to remain a batsman’s paradise.
