Before the 18th edition of the IPL started, bowlers, including Delhi Capitals pacer Mohit Sharma, accepted the decision to ban the use of saliva.

“A 100 per cent,” Mohit Sharma said when he was asked if the saliva use has made a difference to the bowlers this IPL. “In 70% of the games, the ball is tailing in and it’s only because the saliva is heavy, and our sweat is not so heavy. If the ball is heavier on one side it will tail in. Right now, there’s not as much dew in most grounds to say that the wet ball is also reverse swing.”

However, that move, along with the introduction of a second ball for the team bowling second, has also helped bring the balance back between bat and ball as well. Even though Delhi Capitals failed to get the help, Mohit believes the rule is “making a difference” for bowlers as well. Notably, the team bowling second can use a second ball any time after the tenth over, irrespective of dew. Mumbai Indians, defending 205 at the dew-soaked Arun Jaitley Stadium on Sunday, opted for a ball change after the 13th over and used their legspinner Karn Sharma, who turned the tables and helped MI win by 12 runs.

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“There’s definite help (due to the ball-change) and we saw it in the last game too,” Mohit Sharma said. “The first ball had been used for 12 [13] overs and was wet because dew that had come in early towards the close of first innings. There was more dew in the second innings. And then the 14th over that Karn Sharma [MI Impact Sub] sent down, the ball turned to [Tristan] Stubbs. So, yes, definitely the new ball – a hard ball – does make a difference although by the 15th-16th over, the ball’s condition turns just like the first one. But being a bowler I can say it 100% makes a difference. Like if I’m bowling the 14th or 15th over after the ball changes, I’ll be more confident of bowling a yorker because the ball is dry and it won’t slip.”

“Honestly, it hasn’t been discussed [as a tactic] so far in bowling meetings, but yeah, could be a good strategy provided you know for sure there’s going to be dew. As much as we can delay taking that second new ball – the harder, the drier it is – it’s going to benefit the bowlers at death. Dew is totally uncontrollable but yes, this can be better planned for now [with a second new ball available],” he further added.

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However, Mohit Sharma also praised Kuldeep Yadav for his stunning bowling as well. Kuldeep is third on the list of wicket-takers in IPL 2025 with 10 wickets, which came at an average of 11.20 after five games, but it’s his economy rate of 5.60 – the best among all bowlers with a minimum of 10 overs as well.

“Kuldeep is bowling very well not just for DC but in the entire tournament. Despite bowling on small grounds, dew being around, he is not being read by batters that well right now and hopefully he won’t be in the later stages of the tournament as well,” Mohit Sharma concluded. “The way Axar [Patel, DC captain] has been using him to pick wickets and break partnerships is also great. A captain’s biggest role is effective man management, and he’s been utilising KD very well to maximise his impact for the team.”