Use of saliva helping the ball reverse swing - Mohit Sharma

Mohit Sharma, a fast bowler for Delhi Capitals (DC), says the rule change for this season has made the ball reverse swing more in IPL 2025. He enjoys using saliva on the ball again. Another rule to come into effect this IPL was giving the team bowling second the option of changing the ball after ten overs - whether there was dew or not - which is also "making a difference" for the bowlers. Mohit responded, "100%," when asked on the eve of DC's upcoming game against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Delhi, if saliva use was making a difference. The reason the ball is bouncing in 70 percent of games is because our sweat is lighter than the saliva. If the ball is heavier on one side it will tail in. Right now, there's not as much dew in most grounds to say that the wet ball is also reverse swing." The use of saliva on the ball was outlawed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) five years ago, and member boards at all levels of cricket adhered to this rule. Just before the start of this season, the IPL authorities changed the rule back to allow its use again after the majority of IPL captains called for the change. "There's help (after the ball is changed) and we saw it in the last game too," Mohit said. "The first ball had been used for 12 overs and was a little wet because dew had started to settle in when our innings had ended. There was more dew in the second innings. And later the 13th or 14th over Karn bowled, the ball turned to Stubbs. "So, the second ball, which is harder, definitely makes a difference, even though the ball is in the same condition as the first ball by the 15th-16th over. But being a bowler, 100% there's a difference. For instance, if I bowl in the 14th or 15th over following the ball change, I will be more confident of hitting a yorker because the ball will not slip because it is dry.