In the run-up to the IPL 2025 season-opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and last year's title winners Kolkata Knight Riders, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced four major tweaks to the competition.
During its headquarters meeting with captains, coaches, and team managers on Thursday, March 20, the BCCI addressed the forthcoming 18th edition of the IPL. All 10 IPL team representatives attended the meeting and submitted feedback on the different playing conditions. Following the consultation, the following changes will be made:
Initially, bowlers will once again be permitted to use saliva to polish the ball, starting from the IPL 2025 season. The move follows consultation with all teams and represents a return to pre-COVID ball maintenance procedures. The application of saliva was previously prohibited during the COVID-19 pandemic to minimize the risk of transmission, but this measure has now been dropped.
To counter the threats of dew at night games, the bowling team that comes on to bowl the second is going to have a choice of ball change after the 10th over. This request can be made by the bowling captain even if no dew is observed. After the request is made, the umpires will swap the ball with a comparable one regarding wear and tear. But the bowling team will not be allowed to select the replacement ball.
Also, umpires can alter the ball at any time before the 10th over if it is found too wet, out of shape, lost, or damaged. If a ball is discovered to be out of shape in the 11th over and the captain wants a change, the umpires will decide on the case and sanction the change if the need arises. If a repeat request is submitted after a couple of overs for the sole reason of dew, the umpires will have to replace the ball according to the previous rules.
Another important 2025 season change is the implementation of a new Code of Conduct, which will contain a demerit points system and suspension points. These will be valid for 36 months.
Finally, Decision Review System (DRS) will expand further in the forthcoming season. Other than the previous features, the DRS shall now cover review for no-balls and wide-balls falling outside the off-stump and height-based ones. The more sophisticated system would employ Hawk-Eye technology as well as ball-tracking to identify umpire choices with higher consistency and accuracy.
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