sports.ndtv.com - Mohammed Siraj Backs Lifting Of Saliva Ban From IPL: 'It Will Help Reverse Swing'

Mohammed Siraj Backs Lifting Of Saliva Ban From IPL: 'It Will Help Reverse Swing'

India pacer Mohammed Siraj on Thursday wholeheartedly welcomed the BCCI's decision to lift the saliva ban ahead of IPL 2025, saying it will help the bowlers find "reverse swing" even in benign conditions. The BCCI removed the ban on use of saliva on the cricket ball after a majority of the team captains agreed to its proposal, making it the first major competition to do away with the restriction that was a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. "It's very good for bowlers. It's excellent news for us bowlers because when the ball is not doing anything, applying saliva on the ball will increase the chances of finding some reverse swing," Siraj, who has joined Gujarat Titans this season, told PTI.

"Cancel Their Central Contract": Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam Blasted In Explosive Rant

Former Pakistan cricket team fast bowler Sikander Bakht blasted Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for not participating in the National T20 Cup which is organised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Both star players were not included in the squad for the T20I series against New Zealand following Pakistan's disastrous show in the Champions Trophy 2025. However, the duo decided to opt out of the national tournament - a move that resulted in a lot of criticism. Bakht asked PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi to be 'strict' with the star batters and stop the central contracts of these players.

Nitish Reddy Reveals The Virat Kohli Connection Behind His Maiden Test Ton In Melbourne

India all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy revealed that a light-hearted dressing room banter with the talismanic Virat Kohli resulted in him getting the shoes gifted by the former skipper, which he wore when he hit his first Test century against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). “Back in the locker room, he (Kohli) once asked Sarfaraz (Khan), ‘Sarfu, tera size kya hai?' (Sarfaraz, what's your shoe size?), and he said, ‘Nine.' Then he turned to me, and I thought, ‘Oh my god, I have to guess this correctly,' because even if they weren't my size, I really wanted his shoes. I said, ‘10,' and he gave them to me. In the next match, I wore those shoes and scored a hundred!" said Reddy in a podcast on PUMA's Youtube channel on Thursday.

Yuzvendra Chahal-Dhanashree Verma Divorce Granted By Court: "No Longer Husband And Wife"

Indian cricket team spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and Dhanashree Verma on Thursday were granted the decree of divorce by the Mumbai family court. Chahal's lawyer, Nitin Kumar Gupta, confirmed the development while speaking to reporters outside the court. "The court has granted the decree of divorce. The court has accepted the joint petition of both parties. The parties are no longer husband and wife," advocate Nitin said in a video by ANI.

No Home Tests For South Africa Men's Team In 2025-26 Season; Women's Team To Host Ireland, Pakistan

South Africa will not be playing a men's Test match in the 2025/26 international home season schedule released by Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Thursday. The major highlight of the schedule will be South Africa women's teams hosting Ireland and Pakistan for white-ball tours. Both series against Ireland and Pakistan will comprise of three T20Is and as many ODIs. South Africa will host Ireland from December 5-19, while Pakistan will be in the country from February 10 to March 1.

"Focus At 50-Over World Cup": Australia Women's Captain Tahlia McGrath

Tahlia McGrath, Australia's stand-in captain for their upcoming women's T20I series against New Zealand, said the side is aiming to finish their 2024/25 international season on a high. The first of three T20Is between Australia and New Zealand will be held in Auckland on Friday. "I'm really excited for the opportunity to lead the side again. I always enjoy working with Ash as vice-captain as well, and for us as a group, just really excited to kick off what's been a long season for us and hopefully finish on a high with a series win over here in New Zealand.

BCCI Changes Big Rule For IPL 2025 After Mohammed Shami Complaint, Lifts Ban On...

The BCCI on Thursday lifted the ban on use of saliva on the ball in the upcoming Indian Premier League after a majority of captains agreed to its proposal, making it the first major cricket competition to do away with the restriction that was a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision was taken at the captains' meeting in Mumbai ahead of the league starting on Saturday. "The saliva ban has been lifted. Majority of captains were in favour of the move. Some had reservations about the re-introduction, some sat on the fence but majority of them supported the move," a top BCCI official told PTI. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had banned the age-old practice of applying saliva to shine the ball as a precautionary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, during which health practitioners advocated strict hygiene protocols and physical distancing.

Kolkata Knight Riders' Venkatesh Iyer Opens Up On Bond With Shah Rukh Khan, Calls Him "Elder Brother"

Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer opened up on playing at the "temple" and team's home stadium of Eden Gardens, the prize tag pressure and his "elder brother" bond with team owner and Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan. KKR will kickstart their title defence journey in IPL 2025 with a highly-anticipated clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the 'OG Derby', which kickstarted the tournament back in 2008 during its inaugural edition.

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Mohammed Siraj Backs Lifting Of Saliva Ban From IPL: 'It Will Help Reverse Swing'

"Cancel Their Central Contract": Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam Blasted In Explosive Rant

Nitish Reddy Reveals The Virat Kohli Connection Behind His Maiden Test Ton In Melbourne

Yuzvendra Chahal-Dhanashree Verma Divorce Granted By Court: "No Longer Husband And Wife"

No Home Tests For South Africa Men's Team In 2025-26 Season; Women's Team To Host Ireland, Pakistan

"Focus At 50-Over World Cup": Australia Women's Captain Tahlia McGrath

BCCI Changes Big Rule For IPL 2025 After Mohammed Shami Complaint, Lifts Ban On...

Kolkata Knight Riders' Venkatesh Iyer Opens Up On Bond With Shah Rukh Khan, Calls Him "Elder Brother"