IPL 2025: BCCI lifts saliva ban, bowlers will get help

BCCI lifts the saliva ban for IPL 2025, bringing back traditional ball maintenance.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has allowed the use of saliva on the ball for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This will help fast bowlers to shine and swing the ball.

Why was saliva banned?

The use of saliva was banned in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent the spread of the virus. In 2022, the International Cricket Council (ICC) banned it permanently. But many cricketers and experts opposed this decision, as it made it difficult for bowlers to swing and reverse swing.

Why did the BCCI lift the ban?

After the threat of the pandemic subsided, many fast bowlers had demanded the removal of this ban. Many players, including Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami, said that this would maintain balance in the game and help the bowlers more.

Cricket experts believe that without saliva, bowlers had trouble swinging the ball, which benefited the batsmen. This decision of BCCI will give relief to the bowlers and the game will be more exciting.

New rule for IPL 2025: New ball in the second innings

Apart from lifting the saliva ban, BCCI has made another big change for IPL 2025. If there is more dew in a match in the evening, a new ball will be given after the 11th over of the second innings.

Effect of this change on IPL 2025

• Fast bowlers will benefit as they will now be able to swing the ball by shining it.
• Batters will be challenged, especially in night matches when reverse swing is seen.
• Teams will have to make new strategies as the new ball in the second innings will affect the game.

IPL 2025 is going to start from 22 March 2025. With these new rules, this season is expected to be even more exciting.