The ban on saliva was initially put in place in May 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic as an interim measure, and then in 2022, the ban was legislated into law.
Following India’s defeat of Australia in the semi-finals of the current Champions Trophy 2025, Mohammed Shami called on the ICC to lift the ban on the use of saliva to shine the ball. The experienced pacer informed the journalists that banning saliva renders it more difficult to bowl reverse swing balls. Shami, who contributed four wickets in the game, believed that lifting the ban would make it more exciting for games to play.
The saliva ban was first introduced in May 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic as a temporary measure, and then fast forward to 2022, the ban was made permanent. Since then, Shami’s words have received backing from former international bowlers R Ashwin, Vernon Philander and Tim Southee.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin, who retired from international cricket during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy in controversial circumstances, had a message for ICC.
ICC released some documents after research indicated that saliva did not contribute much to reverse swing, not applying saliva to the ball has not made a big difference. I do not know how they conducted the research, but if saliva is not an issue, saliva should be permitted again. Otherwise, cricketers have to make do,” he said.
While doing this, Southee said in an interview to ESPNCricinfo, that the ban on saliva has been a tremendous loss for bowlers, that is why totals are going beyond 300 in ODIs. Contrarily, Philander was of the view that the use of saliva and reverse swing might have benefited South Africa in the semi-final loss to New Zealand.
Shami is the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament currently with eight wickets in four games, having an economy of 4.96. The 34-year-old had a successful return from a long layoff due to injury. He played four white-ball matches against England prior to the ICC tournament and has been spearheading India’s pace attack in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence.
Shami sustained an ankle injury during the ODI World Cup in 2023 and was out of action for almost a year, as he also underwent a strict rehabilitation process, with BCCI not forcing his return. Initially, there were question marks over Shami’s long rehabilitation as the pacer has returned as much more fitter cricketer and looks set to have a longer international career.
