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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lifted the long-standing ban on the use of saliva in cricket along with a new regulation that provides for the usage of a second ball in the 2nd innings of Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. These important updates were announced after the BCCI and IPL management held a meeting with IPL 2025 team captains and managers at the Cricket Centre in Mumbai on Thursday (March 20).
The 10 skippers gather for the IPL 2025 Captains’ Meet in Mumbai 🤩
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Second ball rule to counteract dew factor
With a view to countering the effects of dew, which is likely to take centre stage during nighttime matches, the BCCI has introduced a provision permitting teams to use an extra ball from the 11th over of the second innings during IPL encounters. The move aims to facilitate an even battle between bat and ball and curtail unfair benefits for teams that play second due to the favourable effects of dew.
With this introduction of the rule, the BCCI hopes to diminish the influence of the toss during night games, which has become a decider in matches many times as the dew factor benefited teams pursuing a target. As reported by Cricbuzz, the umpires will make the last judgment regarding whether the change of balls is required and that they would measure the amount of dew on the ground first.
This regulation will mainly be enforced on night matches, and afternoon matches are not expected to have a second ball.
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Saliva ban removed following COVID-19 rules
The prohibition on the use of saliva to polish the ball, which was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to contain the spread of the virus, has also been lifted. The ban had been implemented worldwide by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as a precautionary action. However, with the pandemic now behind, many players and experts, including Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, had advocated for its removal, citing its importance in maintaining the swing and effectiveness of fast bowlers.
With this decision, players can once again use saliva to maintain the condition of the ball, which is expected to benefit pacers, especially in longer formats.
These reforms are aimed at introducing a new dynamic to the IPL, ensuring more competitive matches and responding to most of the key issues concerning equity and playing conditions.
