India: Bowlers will once again be allowed to use saliva to shine the cricket ball in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL), marking the end of a five-year-old saliva ban imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision, taken by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), follows widespread support from franchise captains during a recent meeting, ESPNcricinfo reported. The temporary saliva ban was first introduced in May 2020 on medical grounds, with players permitted to use sweat as an alternative.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) later made the restriction permanent in September 2022 to minimize potential virus transmission. Saliva has traditionally been used in cricket to maintain the shine on one side of the ball, allowing for conventional and reverse swing—an essential tactic in fast bowling, particularly in longer formats like Test cricket.
The ban’s reversal is expected to aid bowlers, especially in dry conditions where reverse swing is more effective. While the IPL’s move to reintroduce saliva for ball-shining is a significant development, it remains unclear whether the ICC will follow suit for red-ball cricket.
The governing body, currently led by Jay Shah, former BCCI secretary, has not indicated any immediate plans to lift the global restriction. The rule change will take effect from IPL 2025’s opening match, where defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will take on Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens.
This season, featuring 74 matches across 13 cities, promises to test the impact of the decision on T20 cricket’s high-scoring landscape. Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj, representing Gujarat Titans, welcomed the decision, stating that saliva application will enhance bowlers’ chances of reverse swing.
Siraj stated that, “It’s excellent news for us bowlers because when the ball is not doing anything, applying saliva will increase the chances of finding some reverse swing.” Mohammed Shami, another key Indian pacer, had previously urged the ICC to reconsider the ban, emphasising the importance of reverse swing in making the game more competitive. His sentiments were echoed by former international bowlers Vernon Philander and Tim Southee.
Indian spin legend R Ashwin, who recently retired from international cricket, expressed scepticism about the initial ban, questioning the ICC’s research that downplayed saliva’s role in aiding swing.
Sports writer Sharda Ugra suggested that the move could help balance the contest between bat and ball, especially in high-scoring T20 leagues. However, she noted that while saliva can assist in generating swing, other conditions—such as pitch behaviour and a bowler’s skill—play crucial roles.
Despite the positive reception from bowlers, some former cricketers have cautioned against the move. Former Indian pacer Venkatesh Prasad warned about potential hygiene concerns, citing the uncertainty around emerging viruses.
Prasad stated that, “The ban on applying saliva was also about maintaining cleanliness. Anything can happen today, we don’t know how many—and when—a new virus enters the air. So, I think we need to be very careful in making a decision about lifting the ban.”
As the IPL prepares for another thrilling season, all eyes will be on whether this rule change alters the dynamics of bowling in T20 cricket.
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