Indian pacer Umesh Yadav weighed in over ban imposed by the ICC on the usage of saliva as a ball-applicator for maintenance of shine amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The traditional method of keeping the ball in fine shape and attain swing has been done away with on an interim basis, with the cricket ball seen as a potential source of on-field Coronavirus spread.
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This, however, is thought to likely have a significant effect on the game's on-field balance. Bowlers are set to have their task cut out to ensure batsmen aren't able to run away with the game.
"Yes, it will be difficult to suddenly start playing without the saliva," Umesh told IANS. "We (the Indian team) haven't started practising yet. Once I get on the ground and practice playing without the use of saliva, only then I will know how effective it is. With the old ball, it's still okay; but with the new ball, I don't know how much it will shine minus the saliva."
With the white Kookaburra ball offering hardly any movement in limited-overs cricket these days, bowlers have gotten used to surviving by bowling hard lengths and trying different variations. Hence, the real adjustment will be in Test matches.
"As the white ball swings for a less time, so for T20s it's okay. But the main problem will be when we will play Test matches," stressed Umesh.
"If we can't use saliva, then we will have to think of new techniques to make the ball swing. Once practice starts only then we will know how to tackle it."
The country is still hurting because of the health crisis, which has also meant travelling restrictions and no national camp for the Indian team. Umesh and his teammates have been confined to do their four walls since the end of the tour of New Zealand in March. Players have been following an individual-based fitness programme designed by the management, but that wouldn't help as much as ground training would to back into the groove.
"Actually, maintaining the workout discipline is difficult during the lockdown. Training is still fine but what is difficult is the action of the athlete like the feel of working out together at the ground. Also when you are at home and you can't step out, at times you feel very lazy," said Umesh.
"I even think of taking an off-day or cheat on a diet, but this is the most crucial time and we need to avoid the lazy thoughts and push ourselves. I give at least 1-2 hrs a day to training without fail."
"As a professional, whenever you go on the field or on the ground, you always want to give your 100 per cent. But you also need to consider the fact that since lockdown, we are not practising the way we used to, nor the activities are happening the same way," he added.
"So physically it is a bit difficult to do bowling or fielding. Hence, once we are back on the field post the lockdown, we will have to start gradually and work on the muscles."
Talking about the fate of IPL 2020, which remains indefinitely suspended at this stage, Umesh said he is hoping for the league's 13th edition to take place at a new window later in the year, adding that two months of IPL cricket will be perfect to return to action with before focus shifts to the international game.
"Right now I have no idea if the IPL will happen this year or not, but I hope it does. As we haven't played any matches for a long time now, it is important to play domestic matches before international series starts."
"As lots of rules have changed now, so at least we will have an idea how to take the new rules ahead and how to cope up with them, how to bowl in a particular situation, etc. So yes, I want IPL to happen this year," Umesh concluded.
(Inputs from IANS)
