The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially lifted the ban on the use of saliva to shine the cricket ball for the upcoming 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. This decision was made during a captains’ meeting held in Mumbai, where a majority of team captains supported the move, citing the need to reintroduce swing and reverse swing into the game.
The saliva ban was initially imposed as a health precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic and was made permanent by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2022. However, the IPL, being a domestic tournament, is not strictly bound by ICC regulations, allowing BCCI to make this change independently. Notably, Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami had previously advocated for lifting the ban, emphasizing that it hindered bowlers’ ability to achieve reverse swing.
In addition to lifting the saliva ban, the BCCI has introduced a new rule for IPL 2025 that allows for a second ball to be used in the second innings of matches. This measure aims to counteract the dew factor that often affects night games, providing a more level playing field by ensuring that both teams have access to a new ball under similar conditions. The second ball will be introduced after the 11th over of the second innings, with umpires having discretion based on dew conditions.
These changes are expected to significantly impact gameplay dynamics in the upcoming season, which begins on March 22, 2025.
