Saliva ban will make it tougher, won’t impact ODIs and T20Is much – Dinesh Karthik

India’s out of favour wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik believes that the saliva ban will make it tougher for the bowlers in Test cricket but it won’t impact much in ODIs and T20Is.

Karthik feels that it would become difficult for the bowlers to shine the ball after 30 to 40 overs in the red-ball version.

On the other hand, two new balls are used in the ODI format. Thus, the saliva ban is not going to make a huge difference as each ball is used for 25 overs each.

Many former and current players feel the ICC should come with an alternative for the bowlers, which would help them in troubling the batsmen.

It is going to be difficult for the bowlers to maintain the shine on the ball as no saliva will be used and the cricket pundits feel that the sweat is not going to be as effective.

“I think it won’t make much of a difference in the T20s and ODIs but it will be tougher for the bowlers during test matches. After 30-40 overs it will become tougher for the bowlers to shine the ball.

The bowlers will be a little handicapped in places where they are looking for conventional swing. So it will be tough”, Dinesh Karthik said during a virtual press conference to set off KKR Sahayata Vahan.

Meanwhile, some former players like Rahul Dravid and Irfan Pathan have suggested that the pitches can be made bowling friendly to even the contest between bat and ball.

Former Indian legendary batsman Sachin Tendulkar has suggested that the ball can be changed after 45-50 overs so that the bowlers keep getting conventional swing with the new ball. In fact, some players have also mentioned that two new balls can be used in Test cricket.

On the other hand, former Australian spinner Shane Warne has suggested that one side of the ball can be made heavier to help the bowlers.

Furthermore, cricket pundits also feel that wax can be used by the bowlers but Anil Kumble, ICC Cricket Committee head, has clarified that they will not encourage use of external substances to tamper with the ball.

So far, ICC has not come up with an alternative in place of saliva ban and it would be interesting to note how the bowlers will adjust to the new laws.

The ICC can definitely make pitches a bit spicier to help the bowlers trouble the batsmen otherwise it would be a mundane contest if the ball goes in a straight line.