The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is just around the corner, and cricket enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting the start of the tournament. In a significant development, the BCCI has announced that the use of saliva to shine cricket balls will be permitted once again in the IPL. The decision was made following a meeting on Thursday, where a majority of the IPL franchise captains expressed their support for the move.
The ICC initially banned saliva on cricket balls temporarily in May 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns, while still allowing the use of sweat. However, this temporary ban became a permanent rule in September 2022.
The ban had a significant impact on bowlers, particularly fast bowlers, who rely heavily on the swing and seam movement generated by a saliva-shined ball.
How will applying saliva on cricket balls help bowlers?
Saliva plays a crucial role in cricket, enabling fast bowlers to maintain the ball’s shine and create uneven wear that facilitates swing. By applying saliva and sweat to one side of the ball, players can make it swing in the air and also generate reverse swing, especially in dry conditions or with older balls.
This is particularly beneficial for fast bowlers, who rely on the swing and seam movement to trouble batsmen. The technique is more effective in red-ball cricket, used in Test matches, where the ball is used for an extended period, allowing for greater shine and reverse swing potential.
With the saliva ban lifted, bowlers in the IPL 2025 season can expect to have more control over the ball. The ability to generate swing and seam movement will make it more challenging for batsmen to score runs. This could lead to a more balanced contest between bat and ball, making the game more exciting for fans.
The decision to permit the use of saliva on cricket balls is expected to have a significant impact on the IPL 2025 season. Bowlers, particularly fast bowlers, will benefit from the ability to generate swing and seam movement, making the game more challenging for batsmen.
As the tournament gets underway, fans can expect to see a more balanced contest between bat and ball, making the IPL 2025 season even more exciting.
