"Saliva Is Important When The Ball Is New" - Sachin Tendulkar Urges ICC To Reconsider Saliva Ban

Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reconsider their decision on the saliva ban since the COVID phase is over–and allow it again to shine the ball. Saliva will play an important role in extracting reverse swing in matches, as fast bowlers use it to keep one side of the ball shiny and the other side as rough.

The ICC banned the use of saliva in cricket matches in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic back in 2020. They took a decision with the pandemic increasing rapidly and a series of lockdowns. The board introduced a rule that awarded five penalty runs to the opposition when the bowler was seen using saliva on the ball. Five penalty runs were given to Nepal after UAE’s Alishan Shafaru used saliva.

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It Has Happened For Over 100 Years – Sachin Tendulkar

Speaking at the 20th edition of the India Today Conclave, Sachin Tendulkar believes that saliva on the ball should be brought back in cricket, as it has been for over 100 years.

“I am not a medical expert, but saliva on the ball should be back. It has happened for over 100 years and nothing drastic has happened. Yes, the decision was rightly taken in 2020, but that is now behind us. Now, it is something that should be considered,” Tendulkar said.

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The Imbalance Of The Weight Helps You Swing – Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar discussed the difference between using sweat and saliva to shine the cricket ball. The 49-year-old said that saliva has a different texture from sweat and helps the ball swing with the imbalance of the weight.

“If you think that is unhygienic, I have seen guys putting the ball under their armpit. Saliva is important when the ball is new. The texture of saliva is slightly different to your sweat. You make one side heavy and keep the other side light… we don’t touch the other side of the ball light. The imbalance of the weight helps you swing the ball,” he added.

Also read: IND vs AUS 2023: “Should Be A Ripping Series Between No. 1 And No. 2 Teams In The World”- Mitchell Marsh Ahead Of First ODI

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