Good News for Bowlers: BCCI Pauses Rule After Shami’s Plea Ahead of IPL 2025

BCCI Lifted Saliva Ban : The Board of Control for Cricket in India took two major decisions in the interest of bowlers in the upcoming season after the consent of the captains of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Recently, fast bowler Shami had demanded that the ICC consider lifting the saliva ban and now the BCCI has listened to him. The BCCI has lifted the ban on the use of saliva in IPL 2025.

IPL Boost for Bowlers

The decision was taken at a meeting with the captains at the BCCI headquarters, in which the captains of the IPL teams were present. A top BCCI official told PTI, "The ban on saliva has been lifted. Most of the captains were in favour of this move. " The International Cricket Council (ICC) had banned the age-old practice of applying saliva to shine the ball as a precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic and later in 2022, the world body made this ban permanent.

BCCI grants Bowlers wish

The IPL also incorporated the ICC ban in the league's playing conditions after the COVID-19 pandemic, but its guidelines are outside the purview of the sport's governing body. Thus, with this decision taken on Thursday, the IPL has become the first major cricket tournament to resume the use of saliva after the COVID-19 pandemic. Apart from this, the BCCI has issued another new rule, under which a new ball can be taken in the second innings.

The second ball can be taken in the 11th over
During the match, the second new ball can be taken in the 11th over of the second innings. The purpose behind taking the second new ball is to reduce the effect of dew. After the implementation of this rule, there will be no significant effect of dew in the evening match, due to which a good match will be seen without the effect of toss. However, the right to change the ball will be completely with the umpire. He will change the ball only if the umpire feels the need. Its decision will depend on the effect of dew present in the field.