The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Thursday announced major rule revisions for IPL 2025, scheduled to commence on March 22. Among the key changes are the lifting of the saliva ban, the continuation of the Impact Player rule, and a modification to over-rate penalties, ensuring captains will no longer face suspensions.
Saliva ban lifted after four years
One of the most notable changes is the lifting of the saliva ban, which was originally implemented in May 2020 as a temporary COVID-19 precaution and later made permanent by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in September 2022. The decision to revoke the ban comes after repeated appeals from bowlers, who argued that the restriction made reverse swing more difficult, particularly in white-ball cricket where two new balls are used.
Under the previous rule, players were only permitted to use sweat to shine the ball. The removal of the saliva ban is expected to have a significant impact on bowlers, especially in the latter stages of matches.
Captains exempt from suspension for slow over-rates
In a major relief for team captains, slow over-rate penalties will no longer result in bans. This change follows incidents like the one in IPL 2024, where Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya was handed a one-match suspension after his team failed to maintain the required over-rate against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG).
While teams will still face financial penalties and other repercussions for slow over-rates, captains will not be individually banned, ensuring that leadership continuity remains intact throughout the tournament.
Impact player rule to stay
The much-debated Impact Player rule, introduced in IPL 2023, will remain in place for IPL 2025. The rule allows teams to make a strategic substitution during a match, providing an additional tactical element that has been widely discussed since its implementation.
These changes are expected to influence team strategies and gameplay dynamics in IPL 2025. The removal of the saliva ban could aid bowlers, while the captaincy rule change ensures that teams are not disrupted due to slow over-rate penalties. The continuation of the Impact Player rule keeps the door open for innovative team tactics.