The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering lifting the ban on applying saliva to the ball in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, which starts on March 22. A detailed discussion has been held on this proposal, and it will be presented to the captains of all IPL teams in Mumbai on Thursday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had banned the age-old practice of applying saliva to shine the ball as a precautionary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, ICC made this ban permanent. IPL also incorporated this rule into its playing conditions after the pandemic, but its regulations are independent of ICC’s jurisdiction.
A senior BCCI official told PTI, “Before COVID, using saliva on the ball was a common practice. Now that the risk of COVID is no longer a concern, there is no harm in removing this ban in IPL.”
He further added, “We understand that this has a significant impact on red-ball cricket, and even in white-ball formats, it provides some assistance to bowlers. It should be allowed in IPL. Let’s see what the captains decide.”
During the ICC Champions Trophy, India’s experienced fast bowler Mohammed Shami had emphasized the need for saliva application, stating that without it, the game becomes heavily skewed in favor of the batsmen. South Africa’s Vernon Philander and New Zealand’s Tim Southee had also supported this view.
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IPL 2025 to Run for 65 Days
The IPL 2025 season will last 65 days, featuring a total of 74 matches. The previous IPL 2024 title was won by Kolkata Knight Riders, defeating Sunrisers Hyderabad in the final. Historically, Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings have been among the most successful teams in the tournament.
The IPL 2025 season will commence on March 22, with the final scheduled for May 25. This time, the playoff matches will be held in Hyderabad and Kolkata. The Qualifier 2 and Final will take place in Kolkata, while the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator will be hosted in Hyderabad.