Mitchell Starc Debunks Saliva Myth: After leading Delhi Capitals to a thrilling Super Over victory against Rajasthan Royals, Mitchell Starc made waves not just with his sensational bowling performance but also with his bold and clear statement on a long-debated issue in cricket. In a post-match interview, Mitchell Starc debunks saliva myth by asserting that the use of saliva in white-ball cricket is not only outdated but largely ineffective, sparking widespread discussion among players, analysts, and fans alike.
Mitchell Starc Debunks Saliva Myth: Starc Shines in Super Over, Calls Saliva in White-Ball Cricket a “Myth”
Delhi Capitals’ left-arm speedster Mitchell Starc delivered under pressure yet again, successfully defending nine runs in the final over and then giving away just 11 runs in the Super Over. His pinpoint yorkers dismantled Rajasthan’s hopes as DC secured their fifth win of IPL 2025, and in a post-match moment that went viral, Mitchell Starc debunks saliva myth, emphasizing skill and precision over old-school ball-shining techniques.
But it wasn’t just his death-bowling skills that caught attention. In a post-match interview, Mitchell Starc debunks saliva myth, questioning the usefulness of saliva in white-ball cricket. “I don’t use it. I think it’s a myth. Some people swear by it. I don’t reckon it makes a difference with the white ball,” Starc said on Star Sports.
Following the pandemic, saliva had been banned across formats, but with the BCCI lifting restrictions in IPL 2025, discussions around its utility returned. Starc, however, remains unconvinced, favoring sweat instead. “It can make a difference on the red ball, but not in white-ball cricket.”
(Interestingly, IPL 2025 has seen a shift in death-overs trends. For the first time this decade, full-length deliveries, including yorkers, have been more economical than short balls, possibly due to improved execution or late movement—something that aligns with the recent insights as Mitchell Starc debunks saliva myth, emphasizing other factors like seam position and release.)
Starc, who now has 10 wickets in six matches including a five-wicket haul against Sunrisers Hyderabad, bowled the key 18th and 20th overs against RR. He dismissed Nitish Rana with a deadly swinging yorker and then kept Hetmyer and Jurel silent when it mattered the most.
Despite a no-ball in the Super Over, he stuck to his plan, hitting the blockhole repeatedly and forcing two run-outs. It was a display of raw skill, nerves, and tactical clarity.
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