IPL 2025: Saliva ban revoked, two balls in play — game-changer or gimmick? | Cricket Information – The Instances of India

NEW DELHI: It’s that point of the yr. Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is ready to kick off — however with a number of rule modifications, lots of which have already drawn consideration.
Whereas a lot of the latest updates make sense to an extent, each present and former gamers are eager to see how the modifications pan out over the subsequent two months.
Among the many headline-grabbing guidelines are: the return of saliva to shine the ball and the introduction of a second ball for the second innings in night matches.
With these new laws in place, sure questions have began creeping into the equation: What was the necessity for these new norms? How might these profit the gamers — bowlers on this case? And are these guidelines a game-changer or gimmick?
“If you happen to have a look at it, saliva is used much less on a brand new ball; sweat is used extra as a result of the brand new white ball is lighter,” Parvinder Awana, who performed three IPL seasons for Kings XI Punjab, instructed TimesofIndia.com.
Over the previous few seasons, 200-plus scores have develop into routine within the IPL, because of flat wickets and flamboyant bravado of the batters. The Impression Participant rule made a major distinction final season.
Bowlers, notably pacers, have struggled to get a lot buy off the floor with the white ball.

The lifting of the saliva ban may simply tilt the stability barely of their favour.
“When the ball will get a bit older, one aspect must be made barely heavier for reverse swing. That’s when saliva is utilized, and it helps the ball shine higher,” the 38-year-old defined.
“The purple ball shines extra as a result of its leather-based is softer. The white ball is more durable, and its shine wears off rapidly. It swings early on, however because it ages, the swing reduces.”
Nonetheless, for saliva to be efficient, the taking part in floor must be conducive to reverse swing. Meaning some put on and tear on the pitch — and on one aspect of the ball.
“If the pitch and floor circumstances are a bit tough, and if some saliva is utilized to shine one aspect whereas conserving the opposite aspect tough, the ball will reverse swing,” Awana elaborated.
Whereas it stays to be seen how a lot of a distinction saliva could make, the introduction of a second ball within the second innings of night video games is predicted to deliver noticeable reduction for bowlers.
By giving bowlers a worn-down ball after the eleventh over of the second innings, the second ball rule goals to counter the dew issue — a perennial challenge in night time matches.
This transfer is predicted to revive some stability between bat and ball, and cut back the toss benefit usually gained by the chasing aspect.
“In night matches, there’s often dew. So if a second new ball is used, it might assist bowlers with grip. And a brand new ball might additionally swing,” Awana identified.
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Nonetheless, the implementation of this variation isn’t automated.
The Board of Management for Cricket in India (BCCI) has left the choice on ball substitute to the discretion of the on-field umpires.

Whereas acknowledging the potential impression of this transfer, Awana is cautiously optimistic and eager to watch the way it performs out in real-time
He concluded, “As a quick bowler myself, it’s an excellent factor for bowlers; it’s one thing new. Let’s see the way it performs out when the season begins.”