The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, starting March 22, is shaking things up with new rules. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lifted the saliva ban and introduced a second ball for the second innings in the night matches of the IPL 2025.
Announced on Tuesday during a meeting of captains and managers at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai, these rules aim to make the game fair for both the batters and the bowlers. With the season-opener just two days away, fans and players are buzzing about what is next in the store.
Saliva Ban Lifted
The BCCI has revoked the ban on using saliva to shine the ball, a restriction initially imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) during the COVID-19. Made permanent by the ICC in 2022, the rule limited bowlers’ ability to generate swing, particularly reverse swing.
With the health crisis behind us, the BCCI have listened to repeated calls from players like Mohammad Shami, who argued that saliva’s return would make matches more competitive.
"We always keep requesting the authorities to allow us to use saliva so that swing and reverse comes into play during matches," Shami said as quoted during the Champions Trophy 2025.
The decision, finalized after captains’ approval, marks the IPL as the first major T20 event to reinstate this practice post-pandemic.
Also read: IPL 2025: Chennai Super Kings Squad Analysis, Probable Playing 11, Complete Squad & Coaching Staff
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Two Balls for Second Innings
A second groundbreaking rule introduces an option for the umpires to make a fresh ball available after the 11th over of the second innings in night games. Designed to combat the dew factor, which often hampers bowlers in humid conditions, this change aims to level the playing field.
Umpires will decide when to implement it based on dew’s impact, ensuring fairness in toss-dependent matches. The rule addresses a long-standing issue in the IPL, where wet balls makes it harder to grip them, favouring chasing teams. By switching to a drier ball mid-innings, the BCCI hopes to neutralise this advantage.
These rules will come into effect from the first match of the IPL 2025 scheduled between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Eden Gardens.
