R Ashwin responds to Shami's plea for saliva rule reconsideration
What's the story
Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin has weighed in on the continuing debate over the International Cricket Council's (ICC) ban on the use of saliva to shine cricket balls.
His comments follow Indian pacer Mohammed Shami's criticism of the rule change in the ongoing Champions Trophy.
The ICC imposed the ban during the COVID-19 outbreak, as it was seen as a major source of transmission.
Here are further details.
Research insights
Ashwin highlights ICC's research findings on saliva
Ashwin emphasized that ICC's decision to keep the ban stems from their research.
He said, "ICC released some papers after research showed that saliva did not aid reverse swing much. Not putting saliva has not made a huge difference," Ashwin stated on his YouTube channel, 'Ash ki Baat.'
"I do not know how they did the research, but saliva should be allowed again if it is not a problem. Otherwise, cricketers have to get on with it," he added.
Shami's plea
Shami calls for saliva rule reconsideration
Shami has been vocal about the challenges bowlers face with the ban on using saliva.
He argued the ban severely limits pacers' ability to generate reverse swing, an important weapon in their arsenal.
"We are trying to reverse, but you are not getting the use of saliva into the game. We are constantly appealing to allow the use of saliva, and it will be interesting with the reverse swing," he said after India's 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final victory over Australia.
Bowling challenges
Impact of saliva ban on reverse swing
The saliva ban has made it tougher for bowlers to remain effective after the initial swing with a new ball.
In the 50-over format, two balls are used from each end, which keeps them in good condition even toward the end of an innings. This makes reverse swing less likely to happen.
However, there's still scope for this phenomenon to play a big role in Test cricket due to prolonged ball usage over 80 overs.
Other players
Other international players weigh in on Shami's request
After Shami criticised the new rule banning the use of saliva, he was backed by veteran pacers Vernon Philander and Tim Southee, who have also voiced their concerns.
Philander and Southee lent their support to Shami's appeal.
They stated that reverse swing is missing in the game, particularly on batter-friendly surfaces.
Southee said, "I think there needs to be something in the bowlers' favor."
Philander also said saliva use could've helped South Africa in their CT semi-final against New Zealand.