The cricketing world has been buzzing with renewed discussions about the saliva ban, especially as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 gears up for its much-anticipated season. The captains' meeting on March 20 in Mumbai is set to dive into this controversial topic, among other key regulations. With the pandemic no longer posing the same threat, calls to lift the ban on saliva — a traditional method to shine the ball and aid reverse swing — have grown louder.
Fast bowlers like Mohammed Shami have been vocal about the challenges they face without saliva, explaining that sweat doesn’t offer the same effect and even makes the ball heavier. This reduces their ability to generate late swing, which is crucial in the death overs of T20 games. Shami's sentiments echo what cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar suggested back in 2020 — that an alternative, like controlled wax usage, could be introduced to maintain fairness between bat and ball.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) now seems open to letting the captains decide, signaling a potential shift. If they collectively agree, it could not only change the IPL’s dynamics but also push the International Cricket Council (ICC) to reconsider the global rule. With batting-friendly pitches dominating T20 cricket, bowlers might finally regain a valuable weapon, restoring some balance to the fast-evolving format.
Beyond the saliva debate, the captains' meeting will cover a wide range of important topics that could influence the season ahead. Key rules like the two bouncers per over-regulation, the ‘retired out’ tactic (which allows batters to strategically walk off to let a more suitable hitter come in), and the use of an Impact Player — a tactical substitute introduced last season — will all be reviewed. The BCCI may even discuss the possibility of tweaking the Super Over rules after last year's thrilling finishes.
There’s also growing anticipation around the enforcement of the innings timer and the 60-second clock between deliveries, designed to curb unnecessary delays. Broadcasters, too, will have their say in shaping the season’s presentation, ensuring a smooth balance between on-field action and off-field entertainment.
In addition, captains will likely discuss player conduct and how to maintain the spirit of the game. With incidents of heated exchanges and questionable behavior occasionally making headlines, the BCCI will aim to set a firm tone on discipline while keeping the intense competitive spirit intact.
With IPL 2025 expected to draw record viewership and revenue, this meeting could be more than just a routine pre-season gathering. It has the potential to influence cricketing norms globally, especially if the captains collectively push for changes like reversing the saliva ban. If the IPL — the world’s most-watched T20 league — leads the charge, it might compel the ICC to rethink its stance, potentially reshaping the way fast bowling is approached across all formats of the game.
