The coronation ceremony for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 starts with all the 10 teams’ captains scheduled to meet on March 20, Thursday, in Mumbai. The discussions will include various regulations and commitments to the broadcast media to be subject to the captains’ briefing upon arrival at the BCCI headquarters regarding important rules such as two bouncers, retired out, Super Overs, innings timer, 60-second clock, impact player, waist-high full tosses, and the Code of Conduct.
Bowlers’ use of saliva will be discussed during the meeting: this has been a much-debated subject since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ICC’s prohibition against saliva application has dented fast bowlers’ ability to generate reverse swing. With the risk of COVID-19 infections being considerably ebbing now, a segment of players, cricket commentators, and analysts have been tossing around the idea of revoking the ban on the use of saliva.
The Future of Saliva Use in IPL Cricket
India Today’s sister channel, SportsTak, received a well-placed source with knowledge of the development stating that the BCCI has requested captains to discuss the use of saliva on the ball. The source stated, “It’s their call. If they want to go ahead with it, we have no issue-we’re okay with that. And if the ICC makes changes in the future, it will be for the betterment of cricket.” This suggests that the BCCI is willing to revisit the law and possibly allow the use of saliva.
Saliva was an essential ingredient in fast bowling, giving the bowler reverse swing and variety to his bowling repertoire. The bans on its use made bowlers find new ways to adapt their bowling and swing the ball. If that ban were to ever go away, it may determine how strongly that would favor sides with potent fast-bowling attacks.
The IPL 2025 season will start with a match on March 22 in Kolkata. The captains and the BCCI will meet two days before the kickoff of the season, giving the teams clarity on rules and regulations before the tournament starts.
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