Islamabad, March 19, 2025: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is reportedly contemplating lifting the ban on applying saliva to the ball in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
This proposal has been the subject of extensive internal discussions within the BCCI and is expected to be presented to the captains of all IPL teams at an upcoming meeting.
Initially imposed by the International Cricket Council (ICC) during the COVID-19 pandemic as a health precaution, the ban on saliva was made permanent in 2022.
While the IPL adhered to this regulation in recent seasons, it has more flexibility in its playing conditions, which are not strictly governed by ICC protocols.
A BCCI official stated that the use of saliva was an integral part of the game before the pandemic, and with COVID-19 no longer posing the same threat, the board believes there is no harm in lifting the ban.
The official also noted that while saliva has a greater impact in red-ball cricket, even a modest benefit in white-ball formats like the IPL would be worthwhile, considering the tournament’s influential role in global cricket. The final decision will depend on input from the IPL captains during their meeting.
If the BCCI proceeds with this change, it could prompt the ICC to reassess its policy on saliva.
Prominent cricketers, including Mohammed Shami and Vernon Philander, have previously voiced their support for the use of saliva, citing its role in assisting reverse swing and maintaining the balance between bat and ball.
In addition to the saliva discussion, the IPL is also set to introduce the Decision Review System (DRS) for height wides and wides outside the off-stump.
This change aims to enhance the accuracy of wide-ball decisions by utilizing advanced Hawk-Eye technology, allowing teams to challenge wides called by on-field umpires if they believe the ball did not meet the criteria for a wide call.
