Indian saliva swing tactics may be banned

Dharamsala, India: Using saliva to shine the cricket ball could be banned for Indian players in the one-day series clash against South Africa over coronavirus concerns, paceman Bhuvneshwar Kumar said Wednesday.

India has insisted the three matches against South Africa will go ahead despite growing fears over the virus. The number of cases in India has doubled to 60 in four days.

The disease can be spread when small droplets containing it land on objects that are then touched by a person, who then touches their eyes, nose or mouth, according to the World Health Organization.

Kumar said the Indian cricket team consulted doctors on Wednesday about whether to use saliva, which bowlers rub on one side of the leather ball to help it swing. A decision will be taken at a team meeting ahead of the first game in Dharamsala on Thursday, he said.

"I can’t say right now we will not use saliva because if we don’t use saliva then how will we shine the ball?" Kumar told reporters.

"Then we will get hit and you people will say you are not bowling well." Kumar said bowlers would follow the doctors’ orders: "Whatever instruction we get or whatever is the best option we will do."

They have already been told to stay away from fans. South Africa coach Mark Boucher has said his players should avoid handshakes at matches because of the virus, which has killed more than 4,000 people worldwide. Cricket South Africa approved the India tour after medical and security experts gave it the green light.