Blending and cyclic use strategies have been widely adopted for conjunctive use of saline and fresh waters. Pros and cons of these two and other strategies have been discussed in a number of publications. It is commonly observed that cyclic use has an edge over the blending strategy. Contrary to this, earlier view had been that both the strategies are at par as long as the threshold salinity of the blended water is below the threshold salinity of the crop. To resolve these and some other issues, a critical review of the data generated in scientific investigations is essentially needed. The views emerging from such a critical review has revealed that a comparison between modes is not possible from the existing set-ups of these experiments, the conditions being highly loaded in favour of cyclic mode. A re-evaluation of data reveals that both the modes will give equal response if similar conditions are created in conducting the experiments. Similarly, the view that modes can be compared on the basis of the total salt load applied seems misplaced. In fact the salinity at the most critical stagemay completely alter the results. This paper highlights these issues through re-evaluation of two data sets reported in the literature. A simulation study using model SWAP also confirms these observations. Simulation study further revealed that for the same amount of salts applied, a new mixing mode strategy in which fraction of the saline water increases with growth stage will be the most appropriate. Mixing mode with variable mixing ratios of 1:0, 0.75:0.25, 0.5:0.5, 0.25:0.75 and 0:1 fresh: saline proportions for presowing, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th irrigation respectively for wheat was more productive than a mode with constant mixing ratio (1:1). This variable mixing mode is comparable to the switching mode with first three irrigations with fresh water followed by all irrigations with saline water. It is highlighted that conjunctive use of saline and fresh water is an attractive proposition. Any appropriate strategy can be used provided salinity status of the root zone at critical growth stage is kept in view during planning