Mitchell Starc played a key role in Delhi Capitals’ Super Over win and called saliva use in white-ball cricket a myth.
In a gripping Super Over finish against Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals’ Mitchell Starc not only starred with the ball but also stirred debate with his remarks on the use of saliva in white-ball cricket. The left-arm speedster played a decisive role in sealing a dramatic win for Delhi, defending nine runs in the final over and restricting Rajasthan to just 11 in the Super Over.
While Starc earned praise for his inch-perfect yorkers under pressure, he made it clear that he doesn’t credit saliva for any swing or control in white-ball cricket. Speaking to Star Sports after the match, Starc said,
“I don’t use it. I think it’s a myth. Some people think they swear by it. I don’t know what the difference is with sweat and saliva. I don’t reckon it makes a difference. It can make a difference on the red ball. I don’t reckon it makes a difference on the white ball,” he said.
Saliva had been banned following the COVID-19 pandemic but was reintroduced in IPL 2025 by the BCCI. The rule change has reignited conversations around whether it benefits bowlers, especially when the white ball gets older.
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Interestingly, data shows that for the first time this decade, fuller deliveries — including yorkers — have been more economical than short-pitched bowling in the death overs. This could suggest that bowlers are executing their plans better, potentially aided by reverse swing, or that batters are struggling with late movement.
Despite the stats, Starc believes sweat plays a greater role than saliva when it comes to aiding bowlers in the shorter format. He has taken 10 wickets in six matches this season, including a five-wicket haul against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Against Rajasthan, Starc bowled two key overs at the death — the 18th and 20th — dismissing Nitish Rana with a searing yorker and keeping Dhruv Jurel and Shimron Hetmyer in check. In the Super Over, he held his nerve despite a no-ball and helped engineer two crucial run-outs to restrict RR to 11 runs. His clinical performance ensured Delhi’s fifth win of the season and once again highlighted Starc’s value as one of the most dangerous bowlers in world cricket.
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