BCCI’s Consideration to Lift Saliva Ban- A Game Changer for IPL 2025

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating changing the rule on using saliva to shine the ball in the 2025 IPL season. If enacted, the implications could be far reaching for cricket worldwide. The ban was initially imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming a permanent ban from all formats of cricket in 2022.

The BCCI is likely to bring up this option with the captains of IPL teams at a meeting planned for Thursday in Mumbai. The IPL adheres to the ICC’s rules but the tournament is not governed by the ICC’s playing conditions and the BCCI believe that the risk of COVID-19 is no longer a threat. A BCCI official pointed out that saliva use was always part of the game prior to COVID-19 and that it would be beneficial for bowlers in the IPL particularly with white ball formats.

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If the ban on saliva is rescinded, it may cause the ICC to re-evaluate their stance. High profile players including Mohammed Shami, Vernon Philander and Tim Southee have expressed their desire for saliva to be used for reverse swing and to maintain the equilibrium between bat and ball.

In addition, the IPL is also expected to allow the Decision Review System (DRS) to assess wides to enhance decision making accuracy using Hawk Eye and ball tracking technologies.