BCCI’s major rule changes for IPL 2025: Saliva ban lifted, two balls to be used in 2nd innings

Before the start of IPL 2025, BCCI has announced some new rules. The saliva ban has now been lifted from the IPL. Players can once again use saliva on the ball while bowling to keep one side shiny and aid swing. The ICC banned the use of saliva in 2020 due to COVID-19, and the ban is still in place for international matches.

BCCI has also introduced another major rule change for bowlers. In IPL 2025, two balls can be used in the second innings. Night games often see dew affecting the ball’s condition, putting the bowling side at a slight disadvantage. To counter this, BCCI has introduced the two-ball rule for the second innings.

The second ball will only be used when dew conditions are present. After 11 overs, the umpire will check the ball, and if it is noticeably affected by dew, it will be replaced with a fresh one. The rule may not apply in afternoon games, as those matches are hardly affected by dew.

The board has decided to continue the Impact Player rule at least until IPL 2027. After the next three-season cycle, the rule will be reviewed. It was first introduced in IPL 2023. Under this rule, teams name five substitutes at the toss, and one of them can replace a player from the playing XI during the match.

BCCI has given some relief to team captains regarding slow over-rate offenses. Now, captains will not face a one-match suspension for repeated slow over-rates. Last season, the rule stated that if a team maintained a slow over-rate in three matches, the captain would be suspended for one game.

Hardik Pandya is suspended from the CSK vs MI match in IPL 2025 due to this rule. However, moving forward, captains will only be fined for slow over-rate violations and suspension will only be imposed in rare cases.

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Additionally, when teams take DRS for off-side wides and height wides, the third umpire will now use Hawk-Eye and ball-tracking technology to make decisions. In previous seasons, the third umpire relied on the naked eye, but now technology will play a bigger role in ensuring accuracy.