New Delhi: With saliva being allowed to polish cricket balls in IPL 2025, bowlers can finally get some swing and have some cushion against marauding batters on flat tracks, believes Sunrisers Hyderabad seamer Mohammed Shami.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India banned usage of saliva last year but revoked it this year and introduced the “two ball” rule to counter dew in night matches, which has restored the balance somewhat between the bat and ball.
Shami had been an advocate of the use of saliva as a way to counter rules that are loaded towards batters.
“For a long time, the rules have favoured batters – but now, things are finally shifting a bit,” Shami said, while speaking on JioHotstar.
“After COVID, the saliva ban made it tough to reverse the ball, but with that lifted, bowlers can finally get some swing back. Also, being able to change a wet ball is a big plus — a dry ball gives better grip and life, especially in tough conditions,” he added.
SRH bought Shami for Rs 10 crore in the auctions for IPL 2025, picking him in their playing XI in nine of their 11 matches so far. The right armer has claimed six wickets at an average of 56.16 and strike rate of 11.23.
“SRH has completely changed my perspective — what used to be a 200-run target now feels like 300. They’ve redefined the game. As for my role, I want to be part of a team that sets new benchmarks and shifts mindsets. I feel I’ve joined a strong unit, and I’m focused on contributing my best,” he said.
“We’ve built a strong bowling unit as well at SRH — a solid pace attack and quality spinners to back it. Overall, our bowling is much more balanced now, and those who think SRH is only about batting are mistaken.”