IPL 2025 to see Saliva Use, Ban on Saliva usage lifted after Meeting

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The Indian Premier League's 18th season is set to witness the return the usage of Saliva for the bowlers in a match.

The IPL governing council has decided to reintroduce Saliva use for bowlers, which has not been in existence at the tournament since 2020.

In cricket, the saliva is used by a bowler to attain reverse swing. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, ICC had banned the usage of saliva as saliva was a mode for transmission of the deadly disease.

Although the global pandemic has subsided, ICC is yet to return to the usage of saliva in cricket. In limited-overs cricket, the art of reverse swing has almost gone extinct due to the ban, but the IPL is set to make things a bit easier for bowlers.

As per reports, the captains of various franchises voiced their opinion for saliva use during a meeting with the IPL rule-makers on Thursday, where it was decided that the bowlers and fielders can use saliva from this season onwards.

Although ICC banned saliva use in 2022, India pacer Mohammed Shami recently urged the apex body of cricket to revoke their decision.

"We are trying [to get reverse swing], but the usage of saliva on the ball is not allowed. 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," Shami said during the Champions Trophy.

The IPL 2025 is set to start from March 22 as defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders face the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.