IPL 2025: Impact Player Rule, Saliva Ban And 2 New Balls, Check Out The New Rules Of The Season

Rules include the ban on saliva, the employment of two new balls during the second innings, and the Impact Player rule. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced several major rule changes on the eve of the much-awaited IPL 2025 season.

The modifications are intended to enhance the batting-bowling balance and resolve issues raised by players, particularly about the dew factor and the effect of the Impact Player rule.

BCCI Lifts Saliva Ban for IPL 2025

One of the most significant changes is the lifting of the saliva ban on the cricket ball. Implemented in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the ban was intended to curb the spread of the virus.

But since the situation is now under control, the BCCI has resolved to lift the ban for IPL 2025. The alteration will give bowlers more space to keep the ball, particularly in reverse swing.

Key bowlers such as Mohammed Shami, Tim Southee, and Vernon Philander had already shown concerns regarding the saliva ban previously, pointing to how it made it difficult for the bowlers to get the ball to move.

Letting saliva come back into usage again is yet another attempt at leveling the bat and ball relationship, providing bowlers with something they can utilize to fight equally.

Addition of Two New Balls in IPL 2025

In the second major rule change, BCCI announced that from the 2025 IPL season, two new balls will be introduced for the second innings of all matches. This will come into effect from the 11th over, the mid-point of the second innings. The idea behind introducing the second new ball is to combat the increase in dew occurring in the second innings of a match.

Dew tends to cause problems for bowlers, particularly since it often occurs in the second innings when bowlers struggle to grip a wet ball, resulting in the ball skidding on the pitch.

This will level the playing field, particularly for teams bowling in the second innings, and reduce the reliance on the toss impacting the result. The BCCI believes that the introduction of a second new ball will increase the competitiveness of the match and provide the clubs with a chance to play the match in a more competitive environment regardless of how the toss has played out in favor of one of the sides.

As a result of this rule change as well as the introduction of two new balls, the toss may have less impact on the outcome of a match and both teams will have an equal opportunity.

No Changes to the Impact Player Rule for IPL 2025

While the modifications to the rules of saliva and the ball have caused plenty of commotion, the Impact Player rule won’t change for IPL 2025.

Although there have been discussions between board members and the captains of teams, it was agreed that the rule, which was implemented for the first time in IPL 2023, will be enforced for the season at least.

The Impact Player rule has been questioned since its introduction, with a string of big-name players, including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Marcus Stoinis, questioning its effect on the game.

The argument is that the rule has lessened the importance of all-rounders, as teams would rather have specialist batters or bowlers, which means there are fewer chances for the all-rounders to leave an impact.

Though some have contended that the Impact Player rule has opened up new avenues for specific players, others are of the opinion that it takes away from the classic equilibrium of the game. However, the BCCI has decided to continue with the rule for IPL 2025, hoping to make improvements in the future depending on feedback and discussion.

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