IPL 2025: BCCI Lifts Saliva Ban, Introduces Second Ball Rule for 2nd Innings

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lifted the ban on the use of saliva and introduced a new rule for the upcoming IPL season. The key decisions were made during a meeting of captains and managers at the Cricket Centre in Mumbai on Thursday (March 20).

Second Ball Rule

The new rule introduces a second ball for the second innings of a match, starting from the 11th over. This move aims to counter the impact of dew on night-time matches, ensuring a more level-playing field.

Saliva Ban Lifted

The ban on the use of saliva was lifted, following a plea by Mohammed Shami and endorsements from international players like Vernon Philander and Tim Southee. The ban was implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic to mitigate the spread of the virus, but with the pandemic behind us, there have been increasing calls to lift the restrictions.

Umpires' Discretion

The decision to change the ball will be left to the discretion of the umpires, who will decide based on the presence of dew. This rule will primarily apply to night games, and it is unlikely that a second ball will be used in afternoon matches.