'This will definitely have an effect on reverse swing' - Aakash Chopra on MCC's new law banning saliva on ball

The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) has introduced various changes and amendments to the existing laws of cricket with former India cricketer, Aakash Chopra, recently opening on one of the more notable changes that banned the usage of saliva to shine the ball. Notably, the said ban is already in existence since 2020 owing to the COVID pandemic but has now been made permanent. 

Chopra feels that it is the right decision, given the fact that in the last two years since the ban first came into existence, it has not caused any adverse effects on the bowler’s ability to swing the ball. He also feels it is more hygienic to not be using saliva on the ball. However, the former opener believes the rule could impact the potential of the ball to reverse swing, thus a few further changes could be made to negate the negative impact of the ban such as taking the second new ball a bit early.

 “Saliva ban was imposed due to Covid. The committee feels that there hasn’t been any significant damage to the swing as the ball still swings a fair amount. So let’s continue playing with that. I am okay with it because it is unhygienic,” said Aakash on his YouTube channel.

So the second new ball can be made due to a bit early: Aakash Chopra

 “However, this will definitely have an effect on the reverse swing. So the second new ball can be made due a bit early. Or to shine the ball you can make use of a material like wax just to balance the contest, especially in dry conditions,” he added.

Apart from the ban on saliva, the MCC has also introduced a few other significant changes. The much-debated ‘Mankad’ rule which allows running out the non-striker on delivery stride has now been legitimized with it no longer being seen as ‘unfair’. Also, if a batter is dismissed caught, the incoming batter will take a stride, even if both batters had crossed when the catch was completed unless it is the start of a new over.