BCCI Announces Major Rule Changes for IPL 2025: Saliva Ban Lifted & New Second Ball Rule Introduced

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) management have announced several important rule changes for the upcoming IPL season. Among the key changes are the lifting of the saliva ban and the introduction of a new rule regarding the use of the second ball in the second innings.

In a meeting held on Thursday (March 20) at the Cricket Centre in Mumbai, BCCI introduced these new rules, with a source at the meeting confirming the details to Cricbuzz.

The most notable change is that, in IPL matches, the second ball will be used after the 11th over of the second innings. The primary aim of this rule is to reduce the impact of dew in night matches. By introducing the second ball, the advantage gained by the team winning the toss in the first innings will be reduced, thereby making the match more balanced.

The lifting of the saliva ban had been widely anticipated, especially after India’s world-class pacer Mohammad Shami made a formal request for it. Shami had recently stated after a Champions Trophy match in Dubai, "We have always appealed to the authorities to allow us to use saliva so that we can make the ball swing and reverse swing." This request was supported by international players such as Vernon Philander and Tim Southee, who agreed with Shami’s stance.

The saliva ban had been implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic when the International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced certain restrictions to minimize the risk of virus transmission. However, as the pandemic subsided, there has been growing support for lifting the ban, with Shami being one of the main voices calling for it.

Regarding the second ball rule, the decision to switch the ball will be left to the umpires. According to a source, "It will depend on the umpires to decide whether to change the ball based on the impact of dew." As a result, this rule will primarily apply to night matches and will not be used in afternoon games.