Amid lockdown, cricketers are spending time at their homes since all cricketing events are either cancelled or postponed for an indefinite time. But what will happen once the normalcy returns? In cricket, bowlers are supposed to use salvia in order to shine the ball, but after the coronavirus pandemic, it is expected that cricketing bodies including the International Cricket Council (ICC) might consider banning the use of salvia.
As per media reports, saliva is a primary reason behind the spread of COVID-19, which can surely increase the risk for any player. A few days ago, former Australian speedster Jason Gillespie had said that umpires would play a huge role and the shining process could be done in front of them after the end of each over.
“I don’t think it’s a quirky question. It’s an actual genuine thing to be considered. I don’t think anything is off the table. It could be a point where at the end of each over, the umpires allow the players to shine the ball in front of them but you can only do it then,” Gillespie had said.
Now, Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has also dropped his opinion on the red-hot topic. The leg-spinner, as usual, used his humour while passing a suggestion to ICC. Chahal expressed that if the international apex body takes such a step then batsmen will get an additional advantage against the bowlers.
The 29-year-old asked ICC to add another rule that the batsmen will have to bring back the ball from the stands that they smacked for a six.
“It will have an impact on drift and swing on the ball. So, in the end, it will become easier for batsmen. So another rule should be added then that if a batsman hits a six then he himself will have to bring back the ball,” Chahal teasingly passed a remark in an interview with Sports Tak.
The leggie also revealed it’s the first time in the last 20 years that he is not able to do anything. However, he opined that one could take positivity in these times, which will increase the mental strength.
“In 20 years of cricket career, this is the first time that I am not being able to do anything. But you can take it positively also that it will make you mentally stronger,” Chahal added.
