By BCCI Lifts Saliva Ban Ahead of IPL 2025
New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially lifted the ban on using saliva to shine the ball in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The decision comes after consultations with team captains, marking a significant shift in playing conditions for the tournament.
Background of the Ban
The use of saliva to maintain the ball’s condition has been a traditional practice in cricket, aiding bowlers in generating swing and movement. However, due to health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Cricket Council (ICC) imposed a temporary ban in 2020 to prevent potential virus transmission through bodily fluids. In 2022, the ICC made this restriction permanent, citing safety reasons.
Following the ICC’s directive, the IPL also incorporated the saliva ban in its playing conditions, ensuring compliance with international norms. Since then, players had to rely solely on sweat to shine the ball, which was considered a safer alternative.
BCCI’s Decision and Captains’ Support
The move to lift the saliva ban was decided during a captains’ meeting in Mumbai, where the majority of team captains expressed their support. A senior BCCI official confirmed the decision, stating, “The saliva ban has been lifted. The majority of captains were in favor of the move.”
Since the IPL operates under its own regulations, independent of the ICC’s governance, the BCCI holds the authority to modify the tournament’s playing conditions. This autonomy has allowed the reintroduction of saliva use, making the IPL the first major cricket tournament to do so post-pandemic.
Impact on the Game
The return of saliva use is expected to benefit bowlers, particularly those who rely on conventional swing. Saliva helps maintain the ball’s shine on one side, creating an imbalance that assists in movement through the air. Fast bowlers, in particular, have long advocated for the return of saliva, as sweat alone does not provide the same level of effectiveness.
Cricketers and analysts have often debated whether the ban on saliva affected the balance between bat and ball. Many believed that removing saliva from the game tilted the advantage in favor of batsmen, reducing the impact of swing bowling, especially in longer formats.
Debate Over Fair Play
While many in the cricketing fraternity have welcomed the BCCI’s decision, critics argue that the use of saliva—or any other substance—could lead to unfair advantages. The discussion on artificial ball alteration has always been a contentious issue, with incidents in the past leading to accusations of ball tampering.
Some experts believe that rather than lifting the ban entirely, cricket authorities should explore standardized alternatives to help bowlers maintain the ball legally. Others see the BCCI’s move as a step towards restoring traditional gameplay mechanics that have been part of cricket for decades.
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Looking Ahead
With IPL 2025 set to be played under these revised conditions, cricket fans and experts alike are eager to see how the rule change will influence the dynamics of the tournament. The reintroduction of saliva for shining the ball could have a direct impact on the game, particularly benefiting fast bowlers who rely on swing movement to trouble batters. Over the past few years, due to the ban on saliva, bowlers had to rely solely on sweat and external conditions to maintain the ball’s shine, limiting their ability to generate traditional swing. This often put them at a disadvantage, especially in shorter formats like T20s, where batters have become increasingly dominant.
By lifting the saliva ban, the BCCI has not only reinstated a traditional aspect of the game but has also created an opportunity for bowlers to regain some balance in their contest against batters. Swing bowling has historically played a crucial role in cricket, allowing pacers to manipulate the ball’s movement through the air and challenge even the best batters. With saliva now back in play, IPL franchises may see their fast-bowling strategies evolve, possibly leading to more competitive and thrilling matches.
However, the decision also raises important questions about player safety and the ethics of ball maintenance. While the BCCI has taken an independent stance on the matter, the International Cricket Council (ICC) continues to enforce the saliva ban in international cricket. The discrepancy between domestic and international regulations could create inconsistencies for players transitioning between IPL and international matches. Some experts argue that the ICC might need to revisit its decision, especially if the IPL successfully demonstrates that controlled use of saliva does not pose significant health risks.
Another aspect to consider is whether this move will influence other cricket boards. The IPL has often set trends in cricket, given its stature as the most prominent T20 league in the world. If the reintroduction of saliva proves beneficial without causing health concerns, other leagues such as Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), England’s The Hundred, or Pakistan’s PSL might contemplate making similar changes. This could, in turn, pressure the ICC to reassess its global policies on ball maintenance.
While some critics argue that allowing saliva could provide an unfair advantage to bowlers, others believe it simply restores an element of the game that had existed for decades. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how teams adapt to this change and whether it significantly alters match outcomes. The IPL 2025 will serve as a crucial testing ground, potentially shaping future regulations in international cricket.
For now, the BCCI’s decision marks a bold and defining moment in cricket’s evolution, reigniting discussions on the balance between tradition and modern regulations in the game.
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