Why did Reverse Swing disappear from modern ODI cricket?

Reverse swing is rated as one of the most lethal weapons in fast bowling as it often leaves even the greatest players befuddled. It remains a unique trait in the bowler’s arsenal, and batters often find it much more difficult to counter than the regular swing.

Reverse swing occurs with an older, more worn-out ball, as it moves in the air in the opposite direction towards the shiny side instead of the rough side, as seen in the conventional swing.

Popularised in the 90s by the legendary Pakistani seam-bowling duo Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, reverse swing has become a rarity over the last few years in ODI cricket. Much of the blame can be shifted to the usage of two new balls in the 50-over format.

Since a new ball is used from each end in ODIs, the ball doesn’t get old enough for it to come into effect. Earlier, run scoring at the death was a tough ask as all teams had specialist death bowlers who could exploit even the fiercest strikers of the cricket ball through their expertise in reverse swing.

However, with the art now becoming a rare phenomenon in international cricket, run-scoring at the death has become fairly easier. Besides the introduction of two new balls, the other factor contributing towards the extinction of reverse swing is the availability of better-quality balls.

Better quality of balls to be blamed?

The modern balls maintain their shape and seam for longer as the manufacturing improvements keep them harder and symmetrical for a longer period, which again proves to be a hindrance to reverse swing. 

Moreover, the modern-day batting standards and the great quality of grounds on offer with lightning-fast outfields mean that the ball travels to the boundary more frequently and spends less time scuffing along rough ground, and one side doesn't become as abrasive as it once did.

However, despite that, there are a few bowlers who’re able to reverse the ball on some occasions due to their remarkable skill set, namely Mitchell Starc, Mohammed Shami, Shaheen Afridi and Jasprit Bumrah among others.