Saliva usage undoubtedly aids in the ball’s reverse swing: Mohit Sharma

Pacer Mohit Sharma, meanwhile, claimed that the IPL 2025 rule amendments have somewhat eased the bowlers’ lives. Delhi Capitals will try to recover and carry on their recent winning streak when they play Rajasthan Royals at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Wednesday, April 16, after suffering their first IPL 2025 defeat in their most recent game.

Interestingly, the IPL has permitted bowlers to spit on the ball, something that was prohibited at all cricket levels five years ago following Covid-19. In an effort to address the impact of dew, which makes things difficult for bowlers and the defending team, another regulation modification that was put into place in 2025 was the requirement to change the ball after the ten-over mark in the second innings.

“There is help (after the ball is changed), and we saw it in the last game too,” Sharma said in response to the ball change regulation in the second innings. When our innings concluded, the first ball, which had been used for 12 overs, was a bit damp since dew had begun to form. In the second inning, there was additional moisture. The ball then went to Stubbs after Karn bowled the 13th or 14th over.

Therefore, even though the ball’s condition is similar to the first by the fifteenth or sixteenth over, the second ball—which is harder—certainly makes a difference. However, there is unquestionably a difference as a bowler. For example, I’ll feel more comfortable bowling a yorker in the fourteenth or fifteenth over following the ball change since the ball is dry and won’t slip.”

In the meantime, the Delhi Capitals lost to the Mumbai Indians by a slim margin of 12 runs in their most recent game. “If we go back to the last match, we were almost through, but unfortunately the mid-order collapsed and that’s why we lost the match,” Mohit Sharma remarked at the pre-match news conference. However, I do believe that since this is such a large tournament, you will inevitably lose games. And in this case, losing a match helps you come together and reflect on how you can perform well as a team. Therefore, I believe the loss was appropriate because it allowed us to evaluate our performance.

“Even after the IPL, it is a very good thing,” Sharma stated in reference to Kuldeep Yadav’s influence on the Delhi Capitals’ bowling unit. Absolutely, for Delhi. He is a great asset to the squad. It’s amazing how KD has bowled in spite of having dew and limited grounds. Additionally, Axar uses him as a captain anytime we feel pressured, when we need a breakthrough, when we are forming an alliance, or when we need to know how to use his overs efficiently.”

Mohit Sharma responded, “The atmosphere is very good,” when questioned about Axar Patel’s captaincy.

I know Axar personally, and we have played cricket together a lot. Thus, nothing has changed since taking over as captain. He is a person who maintains a light-hearted tone. Whether or not the outcome works out for you is irrelevant; it is a tale for another day. He isn’t doing anything really noteworthy.

“Whatever has happened, has happened,” he declared following the last game’s defeat. Whatever occurs in the future will occur. However, we will take the actions that we can. Yes, it is fairly straightforward in terms of Axar’s captaincy. He maintains a lot of alignment. He adds, “He doesn’t complicate at all.”

The Delhi Capitals have won four and lost one of their five games thus far, while the Rajasthan Royals have won two and lost four of their six games. On Wednesday, April 16, they will play the Rajasthan Royals in their sixth IPL 2025 encounter at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.