Bengaluru, Apr 17 (PTI): Fast bowlers often have elephantine memory but Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar rather sheepishly conceded that he has forgotten to use saliva to shine the ball despite the redrafted rules, and promised to make amends in the IPL match against Punjab Kings here on Friday.

In the run-up to this season’s IPL, the BCCI had lifted the ban on using saliva as a ball polishing agent after several captains favoured the move.

The saliva ban was enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic days as a precautionary measure.

Now, several skippers and quick bowlers have felt that it will revive the forgotten art of reverse swing, but Bhuvneshwar offered a different perspective.

“I forgot that I can use saliva. Yesterday when the (team) staff told me, I didn't know that I have to use it,” a sheepish Bhuvneshwar said on the eve of the match against Punjab Kings.

But now, there is a late realisation and he is open to experimentation.

“I am not sure if it will help or not, but now that I remember, definitely in tomorrow's match (vs PBKS) I will put some saliva and see if it helps or not," he said with a chuckle.

However, some of his contemporaries have eagerly latched on to the opportunity to purchase some reverse swing to keep the batters guessing.

Mitchell Starc of Delhi Capitals found a hint of reverse swing against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday while homing in on the stumps with a series of yorkers in the 20th over and later in the Super Over.

Starc’s remarkable accuracy and the touch of reverse swing played a big role in DC eking out a Super Over win at the Arun Jaitely Stadium in the national capital.

“Reverse swing had completely gone away from cricket, whether it was red ball or white ball. Suddenly, if someone can execute 11 yorkers in 12 balls at a 145 (kmph) pace, then you have to give Starc the credit,” said RR’s Nitish Rana, who fell leg before to the Australian fast bowler.

Delhi’s skipper Axar Patel also offered some insight.

“Getting reverse swing is one thing, but executing it is very important. It was reversing, but at that time, under pressure, he (Starc) was executing it,” Patel said.

“I was just reminding him to be clear about the plans we made in the bowlers meeting. I was getting the same response: ‘Don’t worry, skip. I’ll do it',” he added.

rhaps, it’s time for Bhuvneshwar to do it as well.

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Bengaluru: The National Investigation Agency has filed a supplementary charge sheet before a court against three accused in a case related to providing assistance to inmate T. Nazeer, who was lodged at Parappana Agrahara Central Prison.

This is the second charge sheet filed by the NIA in the case. The supplementary charge sheet names Junaid’s mother Anis Fatima, Assistant Sub-Inspector Chand Pasha A., and prison doctor Dr Nagaraj S. as accused. The agency has invoked provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Karnataka Prison Act.

Earlier, the NIA had filed a charge sheet against nine accused, including absconding accused Junaid. With the fresh findings, the agency has now added further charges against the three accused.

According to the NIA investigation, Anis Fatima allegedly arranged financial support for T. Nazeer inside the prison. Acting on her son’s instructions, she is accused of procuring ammunition and walkie-talkies and facilitating communication between various accused in the case. The investigation also found that she helped prime accused Salman Khan by providing shelter and arranging travel documents, enabling him to flee to Dubai. Salman Khan was later traced to Rwanda, arrested, and brought back to India.

The agency has further stated that Chand Pasha, who was serving as an ASI in the City Armed Reserve South division, shared details about the movement and route used while escorting T. Nazeer to court. In return, he allegedly received illegal gratification from Salman Khan.

Dr Nagaraj, who was working as a psychiatrist at the Parappana Agrahara prison hospital, is accused of illegally selling mobile phones to inmates in exchange for money. The NIA has stated that he had also sold a mobile phone to T. Nazeer.

The case is now pending further proceedings before the court.