Saliva Use Key to Reverse Swing, Ball Change Also Beneficial

Mohit Sharma: Saliva Use Key to Reverse Swing, Ball Change Rule Also Beneficial

Delhi Capitals (DC) pacer Mohit Sharma has credited the return of saliva use on the ball as a major factor in aiding reverse swing in IPL 2025. He also acknowledged that the new rule allowing teams bowling second to change the ball after ten overs has helped bowlers regain better control, particularly when dealing with dew.

Speaking ahead of DC’s upcoming match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Delhi, Mohit was clear about the impact of the rule changes:
“One hundred percent. In about 70% of the matches, the ball is tailing in, and that’s mainly due to the use of saliva. Saliva is heavier than sweat, so when applied to one side, the ball becomes imbalanced and tails in,” he explained. “There hasn’t been that much dew on most grounds, so the reverse swing we’re seeing is largely due to the saliva.”

The use of saliva was banned globally in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic, but IPL authorities reinstated it this season following requests from most franchise captains.

Another tweak to playing conditions this year allows teams bowling second to change the ball any time after the tenth over—whether dew is present or not. The aim is to help bowlers maintain control in conditions where the ball might otherwise become too slippery to grip effectively.

This strategy came into play in DC’s recent match against Mumbai Indians (MI) on Sunday. With dew starting to affect the ball in the second innings, MI opted to replace it after 13 overs. The fresh, dry ball allowed legspinner Karn Sharma to immediately extract turn, leading to the dismissal of Tristan Stubbs.

“There’s definitely assistance after the ball is changed,” Mohit said. “The original ball had gone slightly wet by the end of our innings, and there was more dew in the second half. After the change, in the 13th or 14th over, Karn bowled and got the ball to turn—Stubbs mistimed one and got out.”

“As a bowler, the difference is significant,” he added. “If I’m bowling in the 14th or 15th over with a dry replacement ball, I feel more confident going for a yorker because I know the ball won’t slip out of my hand.”