BCCI Revokes Saliva Ban for IPL 2025, Introduces New Ball Rule for Dew Management

New Delhi: In a significant policy shift, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lifted the ban on using saliva to shine the ball in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The decision, which marks a return to pre-pandemic cricketing practices, was taken following a meeting with team captains and managers at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. With the majority of captains supporting the proposal, the ban was officially revoked ahead of the season opener on Saturday.

The use of saliva was initially prohibited by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in May 2020 as a temporary measure to curb Covid-19 transmission. In September 2022, the ICC made the ban permanent. However, the BCCI and IPL management have chosen to reintroduce the practice in the league, recognizing its impact on swing bowling.

The decision comes after India pacer Mohammed Shami advocated for lifting the ban to help bowlers generate reverse swing. “We are trying to reverse, but you are not getting the use of saliva into the game. We are constantly appealing to allow the use of saliva, and it will be interesting with the reverse swing,” Shami remarked after a Champions Trophy match in Dubai.

In addition to this change, the BCCI has introduced a new rule to counter excessive dew during night matches. To ensure fair playing conditions, a second ball will be introduced after the 11th over of the second innings in select games. According to a Cricbuzz report, umpires will have the authority to decide whether a ball change is necessary based on the presence of dew.

“It’s up to the umpires to determine whether the ball needs to be changed. They will decide based on the presence of dew,” a source told Cricbuzz. This measure is expected to be implemented primarily in night fixtures, while afternoon games are unlikely to require a second ball.

With these changes, IPL 2025 promises to bring strategic adjustments for teams, particularly bowlers looking to capitalize on swing and fielding sides managing the effects of dew in night matches.