BCCI Brings New Rule Before IPL 2025; Captains To Decide Future

Ahead of the IPL 2025, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is set to take a massive decision on a rule that has been in place since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The BCCI plans to lift the ban on the use of saliva by bowlers and fielders on the ball to shine it before the upcoming IPL season.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Cricket Council (ICC) permitted players to put sweat on the ball but prohibited the use of saliva.

Nonetheless, a lot of cricket players expressed worry that perspiration doesn't help with reverse swing or keep the ball shiny. For fast bowlers, the practice of utilizing saliva was essential.

Indian Premier League 2025 season is set to begin on March 22

Saturday, March 22, is when the Indian Premier League 2025 is scheduled to start. In the first game, the reigning champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will play Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, which will also host the May 25 final.

On March 23, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will play the Mumbai Indians (MI) in the evening, while Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will play the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the day.

Thirteen venues will host a total of 70 league games and four playoff games. On May 20 and 21, respectively, Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator will be held in Hyderabad. The second qualifier and the championship match will take place in Kolkata on May 23 and 25.

IPL Captains to decide on bringing back the use of saliva on the ball or not: BCCI

The BCCI is currently thinking about overturning the Indian Premier League's adoption of the ICC's saliva ban during the COVID-19 pandemic. A senior BCCI official reportedly told PTI that removing the ban would not be a problem because the Indian Premier League is not under the ICC's purview.

Saliva has a bigger effect in red-ball cricket, according to the official, although bowlers in T20s could still benefit from it. The captains of every IPL team will provide their opinions during a meeting in Mumbai on March 20 after the suggestion has been examined internally.

BCCI issues official statement

“Using saliva on the ball was part of the essence of the game until COVID hit. Now that we don’t have that threat anymore, we feel there is no harm in lifting the ban on saliva in the IPL. We understand that it makes a bigger impact in red-ball cricket but even if it can help bowlers a bit in the white-ball game, it should be allowed in the IPL, which is a trend-setting tournament. Let’s see what the captains decide tomorrow,” a BCCI official told PTI.

This matter will be on the agenda when all 10 IPL team captains meet at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai on March 20 for their customary meeting and official photoshoot.