Test Match Should Be Fair, Not Batsman Dominated: Ishant Sharma On Saliva Ban

Senior India fast bowler Ishant Sharma is not quite impressed with the proposed ban on sweat and saliva in wake of the novel coronavirus pandemic. Former India fast bowlers Ashish Nehra and veteran spinner Harbhajan Singh had opposed the step, saying, a ball will not reverse swing without ‘saliva’.

As it looks, sweat might be allowed, but saliva is temporarily out of question. England cricketers with the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad have started training without saliva. In Australia, the district tournament is underway under the same guidelines and will be maintained until the pandemic is eradicated.

Ishant Sharma: Competition should be fair not batsmen dominated

Ishant Sharma has played 97 Tests for India and well knows how a red-ball works. He feels if due to the ball, the red-ball does not swings, it will be easier for the batsmen and the match will not be fair. He also added the competition should remain equal and not batsman dominated.

“If we don’t shine the red ball, it doesn’t swing and if it doesn’t swing then it becomes really easy for the batsman. I think the competition should be fair and not a batsmen dominated game,” the 31-year-old said on Star Sports show Cricket Connected.

Sharma has picked up 297 wickets for India in the longest format and 115 in ODIs. At 31, he is currently not a regular in the team across formats, but has done his bit in his long career which started with his debut in 2007.