The wait is over! The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is about to kick off, but this season brings major rule changes that have already sparked intense discussions.
Among the most talked-about updates is the return of saliva to shine the ball and the introduction of a second ball in the second innings of evening matches. These changes have raised big questions: Why now? Will they genuinely help bowlers? Are they game-changers or just gimmicks?
Former Kings XI Punjab pacer Parvinder Awana weighed in on the changes, explaining how they could impact the game.
Saliva Ban Lifted: A Small Boost for Bowlers?
Over the past few IPL seasons, bowlers—especially pacers—have struggled to make an impact. Flat pitches and power-hitting batters have turned 200-plus scores into a routine. Even last season, the Impact Player rule tilted the game further in favor of batting-heavy teams.
Now, the return of saliva for shining the ball could help bowlers, at least marginally.
“Saliva isn’t used much on a new white ball—sweat works better because the ball is lighter,” Awana told TimesofIndia.com. “But once the ball gets older, applying saliva to one side makes it slightly heavier, which helps with reverse swing.”
He noted that while red-ball cricket benefits more from saliva due to softer leather, white balls wear out faster. However, if the pitch starts breaking down, reverse swing could become a weapon again.
“On rougher pitches, if one side of the ball stays scuffed while the other is polished with saliva, reverse swing becomes possible,” Awana explained.
Second Ball Rule: Leveling the Playing Field?
The second big change in IPL 2025 aims to address a longstanding issue—dew in night matches.
From this season, umpires can introduce a new ball after the 11th over of the second innings. This rule helps bowlers regain grip, countering the unfair advantage batters usually get when chasing under dewy conditions.
“Dew makes it tough for bowlers to control the ball. A second new ball means better grip, which helps pacers swing it again,” Awana pointed out.
However, this rule won’t be applied automatically. Instead, on-field umpires will decide if the conditions justify swapping the ball.
Will These Changes Make a Real Impact?
Awana remains cautiously optimistic. Bowlers finally have something in their favor, but whether these tweaks genuinely shift the balance remains to be seen.
“As a fast bowler, I welcome these changes. They’re interesting. But we’ll have to wait and watch how they play out once the season begins,” he said.
With IPL 2025 just around the corner, these new rules add an extra layer of intrigue. Will bowlers finally get their revenge? Or will batters still dominate? Only time will tell!