Srinagar: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lifted the ban on use of saliva by bowlers and has also introduced new rule of two balls during second innings for night matches of IPL 2025.
Thse decisions were during BCCI and IPL management meeting with IPL 2025 team captains and managers in Mumbai.
The saliva ban was enforced by ICC during Covid-19 pandemic and since has remained intact. However, with the pandemic now behind, many players including Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, had advocated for its removal, citing its importance in maintaining the swing and effectiveness of fast bowlers.
With this decision, players can once again use saliva to maintain the condition of the ball, which is expected to benefit pacers, especially in longer formats.
Two Balls in 2nd Innings
With a view to countering the effects of dew, which is likely to take centre stage during nighttime matches, the BCCI has introduced a provision permitting teams to use an extra ball from the 11th over of the second innings during IPL encounters.
With this introduction of the rule, the BCCI hopes to diminish the influence of the toss during night games, which has become a decider in matches many times as the dew factor benefited teams pursuing a target.
As per Cricbuzz report, the umpires will make the last judgment regarding whether the change of balls is required and that they would measure the amount of dew on the ground first.
This regulation will mainly be enforced on night matches, and afternoon matches are not expected to have a second ball.