FAST bowlers often have elephantine memory but Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar rather sheepishly conceded that he has forgotten to use saliva to shine the ball despite the redrafted rules.
In the run-up to this season’s IPL, the BCCI had lifted the ban on using saliva as a ball polishing agent after several captains favoured the move.
The saliva ban was enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic days as a precautionary measure.
Now, several skippers and quick bowlers have felt that it will revive the forgotten art of reverse swing, but Bhuvneshwar offered a different perspective.
“I forgot that I can use saliva. Yesterday when the (team) staff told me, I didn't know that I have to use it,” a sheepish Bhuvneshwar said.
But now, there is a late realisation and he is open to experimentation.
“I am not sure if it will help or not, but now that I remember, I will put some saliva and see if it helps or not," he said with a chuckle.
However, some of his contemporaries have eagerly latched on to the opportunity to purchase some reverse swing to keep the batters guessing.
Mitchell Starc of Delhi Capitals found a hint of reverse swing against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday while homing in on the stumps with a series of yorkers in the 20th over and later in the Super Over.
Starc’s remarkable accuracy and the touch of reverse swing played a big role in DC eking out a Super Over win at the Arun Jaitely Stadium in the national capital.
“Reverse swing had completely gone away from cricket, whether it was red ball or white ball. Suddenly, if someone can execute 11 yorkers in 12 balls at a 145 (kmph) pace, then you have to give Starc the credit,” said RR’s Nitish Rana, who fell leg before to the Australian fast bowler.
Delhi’s skipper Axar Patel also offered some insight.
“Getting reverse swing is one thing, but executing it is very important. It was reversing, but at that time, under pressure, he (Starc) was executing it,” Patel said.
“I was just reminding him to be clear about the plans we made in the bowlers meeting. I was getting the same response: ‘Don’t worry, skip. I’ll do it',” he added.
Perhaps, it’s time for Bhuvneshwar to do it as well. (PTI)
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