BCCI Considers Reversing Saliva Ban for Upcoming IPL Season
Could we see the return of a classic cricket tactic in IPL 2025? The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is seriously considering lifting the ban on using saliva to shine the ball, a move that could significantly impact the game's dynamics and potentially challenge international cricket norms.
The Saliva Saga:
For generations, applying saliva to one side of the ball was a crucial part of a bowler's arsenal, especially in Test cricket. The practice helps to create a difference in air pressure on each side of the ball, inducing that magical "reverse swing" that can bamboozle even the best batsmen. However, the COVID-19 pandemic brought this tradition to a halt. The International Cricket Council (ICC) initially imposed a temporary ban, which was later made permanent in 2022. The IPL followed suit, incorporating the ICC's ban into its playing conditions.
BCCI is rethinking
Now, with the pandemic threat receding, the BCCI is reportedly having second thoughts. The board has been internally discussing the possibility of lifting the saliva ban specifically for the IPL. A crucial meeting with all IPL team captains is scheduled to take place in Mumbai, where the proposal will be formally presented.
"Using saliva on the ball was part of the essence of the game until COVID hit," a top BCCI official opined. "Now that we don't have that threat anymore, we feel there is no harm in lifting the ban on saliva in the IPL." The official acknowledged that saliva's impact is more pronounced in red-ball cricket but argued that even a slight advantage for bowlers in the white-ball game (like the IPL) would be welcome. The official added that the IPL will be a trendsetter on this.
Shami's Plea:
The BCCI's potential move comes on the heels of public calls from prominent cricketers, including Indian pacer Mohammed Shami, to reinstate the use of saliva. During the ICC Champions Trophy, Shami highlighted the increasing dominance of batsmen in the game and argued for the return of saliva to help bowlers regain some ground. "We keep appealing that we should be allowed to use saliva so that we can bring reverse swing back into the game and it becomes interesting," said Shami. Cricketers such as Vernon Philander and Tim Southee have supported Shami in this.
Current rule and Penalties for Saliva Use
Under the existing IPL rules (following the ICC ban), the consequences for applying saliva are clear:
- First Offense: A warning to the fielding team's captain.
- Second Offense: A second and final warning to the captain, with a threat of fines for any further breaches.
- Third (or subsequent) Offense: A fine for the offending player, amounting to the lesser of INR 10 lakh or 25% of their match fee.
The Ripple Effect:
If the BCCI does decide to lift the ban for IPL 2025, it could create an interesting situation. The IPL's guidelines are technically outside the ICC's direct purview, meaning the league could implement its own rules. However, such a move would undoubtedly put pressure on the ICC to reconsider its own stance, potentially leading to a global shift in the regulations. The future of saliva use in cricket, particularly in the IPL, hangs in the balance. If the BCCI lifts the ban and it works, it could be forced back in globally. The captain meeting is today and if implemented it will be a huge step.
