On the comeback trail from a long injury lay-off, Mohammed Shami returned to the routine of picking wickets for India during the Champions Trophy semi-final against Australia in Dubai on Tuesday.
Still far out from his regular rhythm, Shami snared three wickets nevertheless as India held Australia to 264 in the afternoon before waltzing to a four-wicket win, equalling their highest Champions Trophy chase and the biggest against Australia in an ICC knockout game.
Shami, however, rued the absence of reverse swing and said he is pleading to the global regulators at the International Cricket Council to lift the ban on the use of saliva to shine the cricket ball. The ban on applying saliva on the ball was introduced in 2022, shortly before cricket’s full-fledged return after the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Using saliva to shine one side of a used ball helps pacers generate reverse swing with the rough side in the later stages of a 50-over contest.
However, players can still use their body sweat to offer some shine on the ball.
“We are trying to reverse, but you are not getting the use of saliva into the game,” Shami told reporters after India’s win over Australia.
“We are constantly appealing to allow the use of saliva and it will be interesting with the reverse swing.”
The 34-year-old Shami, who opened the tournament with a five-wicket haul against Bangladesh and endured a brief injury concern in the game against Pakistan, said that he is still aiming to return to his best shape.
“I am trying to get my rhythm back and contribute more for the team,” said Shami. “I am ready to bowl long spells.”
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir hailed Shami as “a world-class performer”.
“He’s phenomenal and the hunger he brings on the table, the way he trains, the way he practises — that’s why you see all those results.”
– With agency inputs
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