BCCI Lifts Saliva Ban for IPL: A Historic Move in Cricket
Saliva Ban Lifted Ahead of IPL
On Thursday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the removal of the saliva ban on the cricket ball for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL). This decision follows a consensus among the majority of team captains, marking a significant shift as it is the first major cricket tournament to reverse this restriction, which was initially imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The resolution was reached during a captains' meeting held in Mumbai, just days before the league's commencement on Saturday.
A senior BCCI official stated, "The ban on saliva has been lifted. Most captains supported this change, although some expressed concerns and others remained neutral."
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had previously prohibited the traditional practice of using saliva to maintain the ball's shine as a health precaution during the pandemic, advocating for strict hygiene measures and social distancing.
In 2022, the ICC made this ban a permanent rule.
The IPL had incorporated the ICC's ban into its playing regulations following the pandemic, but its guidelines operate independently of the ICC's authority.
With this recent development, the IPL stands as the first significant cricket event to allow the use of saliva again post-pandemic.
The captains' meeting, originally set to start at 12:30 PM in Mumbai, faced delays due to the late arrival of some team officials at the BCCI office.
With the IPL lifting the ban, there is speculation that the ICC may reconsider its position on this matter. Senior Indian pacer Mohammed Shami previously advocated for the use of saliva to enhance the game, which has increasingly favored batters.
Former players like Vernon Philander and Tim Southee have also supported Shami's viewpoint.
"We continuously argue for the allowance of saliva to reintroduce reverse swing, making the game more engaging," Shami remarked during the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, where India claimed victory.
Additionally, the captains' meeting addressed the controversial Impact Player rule, which the BCCI has extended until at least 2027.
Players like Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya have voiced their concerns regarding this playing strategy.
"While some have raised objections to the Impact Player rule, it has provided opportunities for uncapped players who might not otherwise participate," the official noted.
The BCCI also approved the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) for height wides and those outside the off-stump.
"Hawk-eye technology and ball tracking will be utilized to determine height wides and off-stump wides," the official added. Furthermore, it was decided that one ball will be replaced in the second innings of evening matches after the 11th over due to dew conditions.
"This is not a formal rule change but rather an agreement for this year between teams and umpires. The new ball will exhibit wear and tear," an official explained.