In a significant development for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to lift the ban on using saliva to shine the ball. This decision was made after a meeting with the captains of IPL teams, where a majority supported the proposal. The move marks the first major cricketing tournament to reverse the COVID-era ban, which had been imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in response to the pandemic. The ban had been made permanent by the ICC in 2022, but the BCCI has now opted to lift it for the IPL, a decision that will change the dynamics of the game.
The saliva ban had restricted bowlers from using the traditional method to maintain the condition of the ball, which is crucial for generating swing. Senior pacer Mohammed Shami, who had previously raised concerns about the ban, praised the decision. Speaking during the ICC Champions Trophy, Shami had emphasized how reverse swing could bring more balance to the game, which has increasingly favored the batsmen. Shami, along with other pacers like Vernon Philander and Tim Southee, had advocated for the return of saliva to help revitalize bowling tactics.
Apart from this crucial decision, the BCCI meeting also discussed other key changes. The Impact Player rule, which has sparked debate among some players like Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, will remain in place until at least 2027. Despite some concerns, the rule has been credited with offering more playing opportunities to uncapped players, benefiting the overall structure of the game.
Additionally, the BCCI approved the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) for height wides and wides outside the off-stump, which will be judged using Hawk-Eye technology. A significant change for evening matches also involves replacing the ball after the 11th over of the second innings, to account for the effects of dew.
These changes are part of the BCCI’s ongoing efforts to improve the IPL, making the tournament more competitive and ensuring the best playing conditions for all participants.
The information in this article is sourced from Cricket Betting Tips.
