Days after Indian fast bowler Mohammed Shami called on the ICC to reconsider the prohibition on using saliva to polish the cricket ball, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is contemplating the reintroduction of this practice for IPL 2025, which is set to commence on March 22. As reported by the news agency PTI, this proposal has been thoroughly discussed within the BCCI and will be presented to the captains of all IPL teams during a meeting in Mumbai on Thursday.

The traditional method of applying saliva to one side of the ball to facilitate reverse swing in longer formats was temporarily banned during the COVID-19 pandemic. The ICC made this ban a permanent regulation in 2022. Following the pandemic, the IPL also adopted the ICC's ban in its playing conditions, although its guidelines operate independently of the sport's governing body.

"Using saliva on the ball was integral to the game until the onset of COVID. With the threat now diminished, we believe there is no reason not to lift the ban on saliva in the IPL. While we recognize its greater significance in red-ball cricket, even a slight advantage for bowlers in white-ball formats should be permitted in the IPL, which is a pioneering tournament. We will see what the captains decide tomorrow," stated a senior BCCI official to PTI.

Should the ban be lifted in the IPL, it may prompt the ICC to reassess its position on the matter.

During the ICC Champions Trophy, senior Indian pacer Mohammed Shami emphasized the importance of using saliva on the ball in a game that has increasingly favoured batters.

"We are attempting to achieve reverse swing; however, the application of saliva on the ball is prohibited," Shami informed reporters following India's four-wicket victory over Australia in the Champions Trophy semi-final. "We continue to advocate for the allowance of saliva use, as it would enable us to reintroduce reverse swing into the game, making it more engaging."

During the 50-over tournament in Dubai, where India claimed victory, Shami reiterated, "We continue to advocate for the allowance of saliva use, as it would enable us to reintroduce reverse swing into the game, making it more engaging."

According to the current regulations, if saliva is applied to the ball for the first time, the captain of the fielding team is called and given a first warning.

"In the event of a second occurrence during an innings, the captain of the fielding team is summoned again and issued a second and final warning, indicating that any further infractions by any team member during the innings will result in a fine imposed by the BCCI.

"If there is a third or subsequent occurrence, the player who applied saliva to the ball will be informed that they are subject to a fine, payable to the BCCI, which will be the lesser of 10 lakh or 25% of their match fee," as outlined in last year's IPL playing conditions.

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