BCCI Lifts Saliva Ban for IPL 2025, Introduces DRS for Wide Ball Calls
In a significant and somewhat surprising move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially lifted the ban on the use of saliva to shine the cricket ball, but only for the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2025. The decision was taken after a majority of team captains expressed their support for reinstating the practice, which has historically played a crucial role in aiding bowlers, particularly fast bowlers, in generating swing.
Decision Taken at Captains’ Meeting in Mumbai
The groundbreaking decision was finalized during a captains’ meeting held in Mumbai on Thursday. Following the deliberations, a senior BCCI official confirmed to PTI that the governing body had approved the use of saliva for ball maintenance in the IPL.
“The saliva ban has been lifted. A majority of captains were in favor of the move,” the official stated.
Background: Saliva Ban Imposed Due to Covid-19 Pandemic
The practice of using saliva to shine the ball has been a long-standing tradition in cricket. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Cricket Council (ICC) temporarily prohibited it as a precautionary health measure, aiming to prevent potential transmission of the virus through bodily fluids. In 2022, the ICC made this restriction permanent, barring cricketers worldwide from applying saliva on the ball in all formats of the game.
Although the IPL had previously followed the ICC’s health guidelines, it is important to note that the tournament operates with independent playing conditions. This latest decision positions the IPL as the first major cricket competition to reintroduce the use of saliva, potentially setting a precedent that could influence other leagues and international cricket regulations in the future.
Impact on Global Cricket and Possible ICC Reconsideration
The reinstatement of saliva use in the IPL could create pressure on the ICC to reconsider its stance. The governing body of World Cricket may now face calls from players, teams, and other domestic cricket boards to review the permanent saliva ban and assess whether it should be lifted or modified under specific conditions.
Several prominent cricketers have long advocated for the reintroduction of saliva in ball maintenance. Among them, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, South Africa’s Vernon Philander, and New Zealand’s Tim Southee have been vocal about the benefits of using saliva to shine the ball. According to these players, saliva application plays a crucial role in sustaining the ball’s condition, aiding in reverse swing, and ensuring a fair contest between bat and ball.
Fast bowlers often rely on saliva to keep one side of the ball smooth, which in turn allows them to generate movement in the air—especially in dry and abrasive conditions. The decision to reintroduce this practice could prove beneficial for pacers, particularly in the latter stages of matches when reverse swing becomes a key factor in dismissing set batsmen.
Introduction of DRS for Wide Ball Calls
In addition to lifting the saliva ban, the IPL 2025 will also feature a groundbreaking innovation—the Decision Review System (DRS) will now be extended to cover wide ball calls based on height and line outside the off-stump. This move is expected to bring greater accuracy to on-field decision-making and offer teams a mechanism to challenge controversial wide ball calls that may impact the outcome of matches.
With the use of advanced ball-tracking and Hawk-Eye technology, teams will have the option to review and challenge instances where an on-field umpire has signaled a wide. Specifically, players will be able to contest height-based wides, wherein a delivery is adjudged too high for the batter to fairly attempt a shot. If a team believes that the ball did not exceed the stipulated height threshold for a wide, they can use DRS to seek a reversal of the on-field decision.
This latest enhancement to DRS is expected to be a game-changer, particularly in high-stakes situations where marginal wide calls can influence the outcome of close matches. The use of ball-tracking technology will provide an additional layer of accuracy to umpiring decisions and could lead to a more balanced contest between bat and ball.
A Step Towards More Technologically-Advanced Cricket
With these developments, the IPL continues to reinforce its reputation as a tournament that embraces innovation and modern technology to improve the game. The decision to reintroduce saliva use for ball maintenance acknowledges the importance of traditional cricketing techniques, while the expansion of DRS for wide calls marks another step toward making umpiring decisions more precise and fair.
As the cricketing world reacts to these changes, it remains to be seen whether the ICC will take cues from the IPL and reconsider its global stance on saliva usage. Additionally, the effectiveness of using DRS for wide ball calls will be closely observed throughout IPL 2025, and if successful, could lead to broader adoption in other tournaments, including international cricket.
Cricket fans, players, and analysts will be eagerly watching how these new regulations unfold when the IPL 2025 season kicks off. With the return of saliva-assisted ball shining and the expansion of DRS, the upcoming season promises to be one of the most intriguing and technologically advanced editions of the tournament to date.