IPL Bulletin on March 21: From BCCI Rule Changes & Riyan Parag Set For Captaincy to Fan Parks Revealed

With the eighteenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) just one sleep away, there was lot of developement around the biggest franchise T20 cricket tournament on the eve of IPL 2025.

It was a busy day at the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) headquarters in Mumbai on Thursday (March 20) when the captains met for the customary photoshoot and other activities. Plus, the board also made tweaks to certain rules ahead of the tournament.

Also, an Indian pacer credited his former franchise and skipper for the growth in his career, while a young all-rounder was appointed as stand-in captain by his franchise for the opening three games of the tournament. Here is all the latest surrounding the lucrative league in IPL Bulletin on March 21:

BCCI Lift Saliva Ban

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made some significant changes in rules for IPL 2025, which begins on March 22. First up, the removal of the saliva ban, introduced as a COVID-19 precautionary measure, is a major move.

The rule against using saliva to shine the ball was introduced in May 2020 as a temporary measure, but the ICC made it permanent in September 2022. Bowlers were only allowed to use sweat to shine the bowl. From time to time, bowlers have raised their voices to revise the saliva ban.

Several fast bowlers, including Mohammed Shami recently, have opined that the ban impedes their effectiveness by not allowing reverse swing, which has become uncommon in white-ball cricket, including ODIs, where two new balls are utilized.

Riyan Parag set for captaincy stint

Riyan Parag will be stepping up as captain for Rajasthan Royals (RR) for their first three matches this season, with regular skipper Sanju Samson playing as a specialist batter till he gets completely fit from his finger injury, the Franchise's official website announced.

Parag will lead RR against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at Uppal Stadium in Hyderabad and the following two matches against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Guwahati on March 30.

Siraj credits Kohli for career growth

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj expressed his emotions about Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). He said Kohli has played a big hand in his career and supported him in his ups and downs. He also noted that it was a very emotional moment for him to leave RCB.

Siraj, who will ply his trade with Gujarat Titans in 2025, was bought by RCB in 2018 for Rs 2.6 crore. He played 87 matches for the Bengaluru-based side, picking 83 wickets at an average of 31.45, with the best figures of 4/21.

Impact Substitute rule retained

The much-debated Impact Player rule, introduced in IPL 2023, will continue to be a part of the tournament, beginning on March 22. The rule allows teams to substitute one player during a match, adding a strategic element to the game, and reduces the importance of an all-rounder.

Slow Over Rate Will No Longer Cost Captain Ban

Captains will no longer face a ban for slow over rates. Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya had received a one-match ban after the team's last encounter in IPL 2024 against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for maintaining a slow over-rate.

Hardik will be the last player to be punished with a ban for the offence. The BCCI has decided that captains will no longer face match bans, and will instead be penalised with demerit points, with a ban being enforced only in extreme cases.

Second Ball in second innings to beat dew factor

The BCCI has introduced a new rule of a second ball for the second innings of a match. According the newly introduced rule, the second ball will come into play after the 11th over of the second innings in an IPL match.

The primary objective of this rule is to counter the impact of dew that often affects night-time matches with fielding teams finding it hard to grip the damp ball. This is also expected to nullify any advantage that the captain winning the toss might have due to the dew factor.

IPL Fan Parks 2025 to cover 50 cities in 23 states

The BCCI has announced the return of the IPL Fan Parks for the 2025 season, expanding the premier cricket viewing experience to 50 cities across 23 states and one union territory, according to an IPL media advisory.

The 2025 edition of the IPL Fan Parks will span 10 weekends, starting on March 22 and concluding on May 25. From Tinsukia (Assam) in the northeast to Kochi (Kerala) in the south and from Amritsar (Punjab) in the north to Goa in the west, the Fan Parks will cover the length and breadth of India.