Ban on Saliva for Cricket Ball Shine Lifted
IPL 2025: Saliva Ban Lifted, a Game Changer for Bowlers?
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In a significant rule change, bowlers will once again be permitted to use saliva to shine the cricket ball in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. This reverses the ban that was put in place five years ago at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Decision Behind the Change
The decision to lift the ban on using saliva on the ball came after a majority of the IPL franchise captains voiced their support for the proposal during a meeting held on Thursday. This move signals a potential shift in the dynamics between bat and ball in the T20 format.
A Brief History of the Saliva Ban
The temporary ban on saliva was initially introduced in May 2020, based on medical advice aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19. While saliva was prohibited, the use of sweat to shine the ball remained permissible. The International Cricket Council (ICC) later made the ban permanent in September 2022.
Why Saliva Matters in Cricket
For over a century, players have used saliva and sweat to polish one side of the ball. this practice helps to make the ball swing in the air, a crucial aspect of bowling strategy.
- Swing Generation: Saliva helps fast bowlers maintain the ball’s shine,creating an imbalance that aids swing.
- Reverse Swing: It also assists bowlers in generating reverse swing, where the ball moves in the opposite direction to what is expected, particularly effective in dry conditions or with older balls.
- Red-Ball Cricket: Saliva is more effective in red-ball cricket (Tests), where the ball is used for a longer period, allowing bowlers to shine one side and help generate reverse swing.
It remains to be seen whether the ICC will follow suit and lift the saliva ban for red-ball cricket, especially after the Indian cricket board’s decision for the IPL. the ICC is currently led by Jay Shah, former secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
IPL 2025: What to Expect
The rule change takes effect on Saturday, as IPL 2025 commences with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens. The 18th edition of the tournament will feature 74 matches across 13 cities over two months.
Bowlers welcome the Change
Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, playing for the gujarat Titans franchise, has expressed his enthusiasm for the decision. “It’s excellent news for us bowlers as when the ball is not doing anything,applying saliva on the ball will increase the chances of finding some reverse swing,” Siraj told Press Trust of India news agency.
He further elaborated, “it sometimes aids reverse swing as scrubbing the ball against the shirt will not help [to get reverse swing]. But using saliva on the ball will help in maintaining [the shine on one side], and it is vital.”
Mohammed Shami had also called on the ICC to lift the ban earlier this month. After India’s Champions Trophy semi-final win over Australia, he said, “We keep appealing that we should be allowed to use saliva so that we can bring reverse swing back into the game and make it engaging.”
Shami’s sentiment was echoed by former international bowlers Vernon Philander and Tim Southee.
Even R Ashwin, recently retired from international cricket, voiced his confusion regarding the ban. “ICC released some research papers which said that saliva did not aid reverse swing much and that not putting saliva on the ball has not made a huge difference. I don’t know how they did the research, but saliva should be allowed anyways if it is not a problem,” he said on his YouTube channel.
Impact on the Game
Sports writer Sharda Ugra believes that lifting the ban on saliva could level the playing field between bat and ball, making the contest “more even.”
Manny argue that T20 leagues favor batsmen due to batter-pleasant wickets. The highest IPL total, set in 2013 with RCB’s 263 for five against Pune, was surpassed four times in 2024. In 17 seasons, there have been 10 totals crossing 250 runs.
Tho,Ugra cautions that the impact of lifting the ban on bowling remains uncertain.”Saliva isn’t the only factor in generating swing - conditions must also be ideal, and a skilled bowler is key,” she stated.
A Word of Caution
Some former fast bowlers, like India’s venkatesh Prasad, have expressed concerns about the change. “The ban on applying saliva was also about maintaining cleanliness. Anything can happen today, we don’t know how many – and when – a new virus enters the air. So, I think you need to be very careful in making a decision about lifting the ban,” Prasad told The Times of India newspaper earlier this month.
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IPL 2025: Saliva Ban Lifted – Your Top Questions Answered
The Indian Premier league (IPL) 2025 season is set to bring a important change to the game: the return of saliva. After a five-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, bowlers will once again be allowed to use saliva to shine the cricket ball. Here’s a thorough Q&A to break down everything you need to know about this evolving rule.
What is the Saliva Ban in Cricket?
The saliva ban in cricket was implemented as a safety measure to limit the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The International cricket Council (ICC) first introduced a temporary ban in May 2020, which was later made permanent in September 2022. This ban prohibited bowlers from using saliva to shine the ball, a practice aimed at generating swing.
Why Was the Saliva Ban lifted for IPL 2025?
The decision to lift the ban for IPL 2025 was made after the majority of IPL franchise captains voiced their support during a meeting. This move signals a shift in the dynamics between bat and ball in the T20 format. The BCCI has officially revoked the ban, allowing bowlers to use saliva to maintain the ball’s shine and potentially gain an advantage.
How Does Saliva Affect Cricket?
Saliva is used to polish one side