Players need to get used to Saliva ban: Zaheer

Former India pacer and Mumbai Indians (MI), Di- rector of Cricket Operations, Zaheer Khan said that players need to be careful on the field and get used to not using saliva on the ball. “Cricket balls and all that, yes, we have to be little careful of and get used to not us- ing the saliva as well. So old habits, at time, just creeps in as bowlers so we will have to be mindful of that,” Zaheer said in a video posted by MI on Twitter.

It was due to Covid-19 that the International Cricket Council (ICC) came out with a fresh set of rules and that includes the saliva ban.

According to Zaheer, players need to find their own mental space and adapt to the new playing regime during the times of pandemic. “When you are a professional athlete you have to find a way of keeping that mental space which you like to be in. It varies individually so that is something which every individual has to take care of and own that individual space,” the veteran speedster said.

“I would not say that it is going to be difficult as such it is just a matter of getting used to the new routines and the preparation routines are going to change. You have to keep up with that. It just feels good to be back again out on the field,” Zaheer added.

The IPL 2020 will be played from 19 September till 10 November in the UAE across three venues — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings will lock horns in the tournament opener on 19 September.