New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has finally lifted the ban on use of saliva on the ball in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The 18th edition of the cash-rich league will begin in March 22, Saturday and the Indian cricket board took the decision on Thursday after all the captains of the franchises agreed to their proposal
It makes IPL the first big cricket competition to do away with the restriction which was put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic as medical practitioners and health experts had advised strict hygiene measures and social distancing during the pandemic. The application of saliva is an age-olde practice in cricket which is done to get the perfect shine on the ball by the bowlers or skipper or any other team member.
Ban lifted after captains’ thumbs up
Majority of the team captains’ were in favour of the move taken by the Indian cricket board. With some of team skippers’ having reservation about introducing the practice again, majority supported the decision. After the ban was imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic, the world governing body ICC made the ban permanents in 2022.
The IPL included the ICC ban in its playing conditions in the aftermath of Covid but its guidelines are outside the purview of the sport’s governing body. The meeting between the captains’ and the officials took place in Mumbai on Saturday at the BCCI office and the decision was finalised after the three-year ban. Since the Indian cricket board has lifted the ban, the apex cricketing body might possibly review its decision imposed by them.
Earlier during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami spoke about the use of saliva on the ball in the game which has turned into a batters’ contest mainly. Some of the other cricketers like Vernon Philander and Tim Southee has echoed what Shami said.
IPL 2025: With some of the team skippers’ having reservation about introducing the practice again, majority supported the decision. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
