For cricket enthusiasts, this is fantastic news: the IPL (Indian Premier League) has agreed to let bowlers once more apply saliva to the ball in IPL 2025! Follow 1xbat for more cricket news.
This significant choice was made following a conference in Mumbai, where several team leaders discussed their ideas with tournament authorities. Let’s explore why this choice is important and how it will affect the game.
What is saliva, and why would bowlers use it?
Every one of us has a liquid in our mouth: saliva. Bowlers in cricket apply saliva to give one side of the ball gloss.
This alters the ball’s movement in the air, which increases the difficulty for hitters striking. For bowlers, this unique movement known as reverse swing can change everything.
Why was the Saliva Ban instituted?
The saliva prohibition was first instituted in May 2020 during the COVID-19 epidemic. Cricket officials outlawed the virus’s use to keep players safe, as it might be transmitted by body fluids like saliva.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) adopted a permanent ban in September 2022. Only their sweat could help bowlers polish the ball.
Why is the ban being lifted now?
Many cricket professionals and players believed that the saliva restriction complicated bowlers’ situation. Bowlers struggled to get a reverse swing without saliva, particularly in white-ball cricket like IPL and ODIs (One-Day Internationals).
At the most recent Mumbai conference, most IPL team leaders felt that removing the suspension would be “fairer for bowlers.”
Fast bowler for Gujarat Titans (GT), Mohammed Siraj applauded the ruling. Applying saliva can help us acquire reverse swing; he continued, “when the ball is not doing anything. One finds little success scrubbing the ball against the shirt.”
Describe reverse swing.
One side of the ball is shinier than the other. Hence, a reverse swing is a ball movement. Surprising batters, this causes the ball to move abruptly in the air.
Saliva helps bowlers more precisely control the ball and produce these problematic swings. Reaching reverse swing became quite rare without saliva.
What Comments Other Players Made?
Many well-known bowlers have begged that the ban be lifted. One of the best fast bowlers in India, Mohamed Shami, recently remarked that restoring saliva will make cricket more exciting.
“We keep asking to allow saliva because it helps us get reverse swing,” he stated following India’s victory over Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final.
Other foreign players who backed abolishing the ban included Vernon Philander and Tim Southee.
Tim Southee said, “We regularly see teams scoring over 300 runs. Bowlers need some assistance; saliva can provide that edge.”
How Would IPL 2025 Change?
The saliva restriction has been relaxed, so we should expect more exciting bowling. Bowlers will now have more opportunities to prevent hitters from scoring too many runs. As the reverse swing returns, fans could witness more exciting events.
This means young cricket fans seeing bowlers execute cool tricks with the ball. It also implies that the game would be far more enjoyable if matches were more balanced between batters and bowlers!
Reflective Notes
For bowlers and cricket enthusiasts, the comeback of saliva in IPL 2025 is rather welcome. It demonstrates how the game develops to remain fair and interesting for all.
Thus, come ready for an exciting season full of surprising events and outstanding bowling!
What do you suppose about this choice? More reverse swing in IPL 2025 excites you? Tell us, please!