In a major decision ahead of IPL 2025, bowlers will once again be allowed to apply saliva on the ball. This change comes after strong support from franchise captains, who expressed concerns during a meeting with IPL decision-makers at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai.
The Struggle of Bowlers Under the Saliva Ban
The ban on using saliva to shine the ball was originally introduced in May 2020 as a temporary measure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, in September 2022, the ICC made it a permanent rule, leaving bowlers struggling to generate reverse swing. White-ball cricket, especially ODIs with two new balls, saw a sharp decline in reverse swing, making it harder for pacers to challenge batters.
Despite allowing sweat to shine the ball, many cricketers had called for an alternative. India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah had previously suggested that bowlers needed some assistance in maintaining the ball. Similarly, Mohammed Shami recently urged the ICC to lift the saliva ban, emphasizing that reverse swing would make the game more competitive.
Support from Global Cricketing Voices
The move to restore saliva usage also found backing from former international bowlers. Vernon Philander and Tim Southee voiced their support, arguing that the game had tilted too much in favor of batters. Southee pointed out the increasing trend of teams scoring 300+ totals regularly, suggesting that bowlers deserved an advantage to balance the contest.
What This Means for IPL 2025
With the saliva ban lifted, bowlers will now have a better chance to extract reverse swing, making death overs more exciting. The decision could lead to a shift in strategies, with teams relying more on pacers in the latter stages of an innings. As the IPL continues to evolve, this move ensures that bowlers get a fair share of influence in a format often dominated by big-hitting batters.
The return of saliva usage in IPL 2025 marks a significant moment for cricket, bringing back an old art form that has long been a weapon for fast bowlers. With this decision, the upcoming season promises a more balanced battle between bat and ball. #IPL2025 #SalivaBanLifted #ReverseSwingReturns
