IPL 2025: Return of Saliva – A Bid to Revive Reverse Swing in Cricket 🏏

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is poised for a notable rule alteration in the upcoming 2025 season: bowlers will once again be permitted to apply saliva to the cricket ball. This decision, reached after extensive discussions between franchise captains and IPL decision-makers at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters in Mumbai, marks a significant shift from the current regulations and aims to address concerns regarding the dwindling prevalence of reverse swing in white-ball cricket.

The Rationale Behind the Change

For several years, the use of saliva to shine the ball has been prohibited. This ban was initially implemented in May 2020 as a temporary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic, intended to mitigate the risk of transmission. The International Cricket Council (ICC) subsequently made this ban permanent in September 2022. The prevailing consensus among many players and analysts has been that this rule change has negatively impacted bowlers, particularly in the context of achieving reverse swing – a crucial element in white-ball cricket. The use of sweat alone has proven insufficient to replicate the effect of saliva in maintaining the ball's shine and facilitating the conditions necessary for reverse swing.

Several prominent voices within the cricketing world have advocated for a change. India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah previously suggested the need for an “alternative for the bowlers to maintain the ball,” while Mohammed Shami recently urged the ICC to reconsider the ban, emphasizing that it hinders efforts to generate reverse swing and make the game more engaging. Former international bowlers Vernon Philander and Tim Southee have also voiced their support for allowing bowlers to use saliva.

Captains' Influence and Mohammed Siraj's Perspective

The recent decision to reinstate the allowance for saliva use was directly influenced by the concerns raised by IPL franchise captains. During a meeting with IPL decision-makers, a majority of captains expressed their belief that the ban was detrimental to the bowlers' ability to generate reverse swing, a critical element in white-ball cricket, especially in ODIs where the use of two new balls further reduces the chances of achieving this effect.

Mohammed Siraj, a fast bowler for the Gujarat Titans (GT), enthusiastically welcomed the change. “It's very good for bowlers. It's excellent news for us bowlers because when the ball is not doing anything, applying saliva on the ball will increase the chances of finding some reverse swing,” Siraj stated. He further explained that scrubbing the ball against a shirt is not as effective as using saliva, and that maintaining the shine on one side of the ball is essential for achieving reverse swing.

Historical Context and Future Implications

The reinstatement of saliva use represents a significant shift in cricketing regulations. While the initial ban was understandable given the public health concerns of the pandemic, the long-term impact on the game, particularly the diminished role of bowlers, has become increasingly apparent. The decision to allow saliva use is expected to provide bowlers with a renewed opportunity to exploit reverse swing, potentially leading to more dynamic and competitive matches. However, it also raises questions about the potential for abuse and the need for clear guidelines to ensure fair play.

IPL 2025 FAQs:

• What's new this season? Bowlers are now allowed to use saliva to shine the ball.
• Are there any changes in format? Not at this time, the format remains unchanged.

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