BCCI Considers Reversing Saliva Ban Ahead of IPL 2025

Ahead of the 18th Indian Premier League (IPL) match, which begins on Saturday, March 22, between the reigning champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the storied Eden Gardens in Kolkata, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is considering lifting the saliva ban.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly thinking about removing the saliva ban for the forthcoming Indian Premier League season. As a precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic, the International Cricket Council (ICC), the world cricketing organization, outlawed the practice of applying saliva to cricket balls. 

But the BCCI is considering reintroducing the ancient custom of sparkling the ball with saliva as the IPL 2025 draws closer. The BCCI will formally offer the suggestion to the IPL 2025 captains during a meeting in Mumbai today, according to a PTI report. The ICC made this prohibition permanent in 2022. Although the IPL Governing Council complied with the ICC's regulations following the outbreak, the sport's governing body has no influence over its playing conditions.

BCCI plans ahead of IPL 2025:

The Times of India cited a BCCI insider as saying, "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."

Given its long-standing effect on the cricket ball, a number of seasoned fast bowlers, such as Tim Southee, Mohammed Shami, and Vernon Philander, have endorsed the use of saliva. The ICC may examine and, if feasible, change the regulation if the BCCI lifts the ban on the IPL 2025. The BCCI may also permit DRS to be used on wide balls, including height wides. In order to maintain game fairness, the teams will have the opportunity to contest the marginal on-field wide calls. 

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