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''Saliva Is Helping Us…'' Siraj After Dismantling SRH With Career-Best IPL Figures

Aakash Saini

Mohammed Siraj celebrating a wicket [Source: AP Photos]Mohammed Siraj celebrating a wicket [Source: AP Photos]

Mohammed Siraj seems to be extremely grateful over BCCI’s decision of lifting up the ‘saliva ban’. Opening the bowling for Gujarat Titans in the match against hosts Sunrisers Hyderabad at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, the speedster snared his best IPL figures, that of 4-17 from his four overs.

Siraj dismissed Abhishek Sharma and familiar nemesis Travis Head with the new ball, before dismantling Aniket Verma and Simarjeet Singh in the slog overs in one of his return spells. While speaking during the mid-innings break, the 31-year-old expressed his delight over the end of ‘saliva ban’, stating that batters were beginning to find it easier in hitting the ball.

Siraj says ‘saliva’ helping him get reverse swing

A couple of years ago, the ICC implemented a ‘saliva ban’ on bowlers in a bid to fight the contagious COVID-19 pandemic. However, the ban became permanent even after the pandemic, thus preventing the bowlers to apply saliva to the cricket ball.

However, the BCCI lifted up the ban for the IPL 2025 season, much to the delight of Mohammed Siraj, as it appears. After rattling SRH in Hyderabad, the speedster stated that applying saliva to the ball helps bowlers in getting some reverse swing in the death overs. While speaking during the mid-innings break, he said:

“100% the saliva is helping us because in the death overs we are getting some reverse swing so if it nips back in a bit, I am certain that it's a wicket for me. Without saliva, it was easier for the batters to hit the ball.”

Mohammed Siraj’s figures of 4-17 from four overs helped Gujarat Titans restrict the ‘Orange Army’ to 152-8. His pace mate Prasidh Krishna and ace spinner Sai Kishore also chipped in with two wickets each during their economical four overs.

Through the course of his spell, Siraj also completed 100 IPL wickets, reaching the landmark figure in his 97th match.