The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season is set to commence on March 22, bringing in a host of rule changes that promise to reshape the landscape of the tournament.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided on several significant modifications, one of the most prominent being the lifting of the saliva ban for bowlers. This decision comes after a meeting on March 20, 2025, where a majority of the franchise captains voiced their support for this change at the BCCI headquarters in Mumbai. The saliva ban, initially introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, has frustrated bowlers who argue that it limits their ability to generate reverse swing, a crucial skill for fast bowling.
Mohammed Siraj of the Gujarat Titans (GT) expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "It's very good for bowlers. It's excellent news for us bowlers because when the ball is not doing anything, applying saliva on the ball will increase the chances of finding some reverse swing." The ban, which had become permanent in September 2022, was seen as a hindrance to the bowlers' effectiveness, especially in formats favoring batting.
In conjunction with the saliva rule, the IPL will retain the much-debated Impact Player rule, which allows teams to substitute a player during matches. This rule, introduced in IPL 2023, has added a new strategic layer to the game and will continue in the 2025 season.
Additionally, the IPL 2025 will implement Hawk-Eye technology to adjudicate wides, marking another technological advancement for the tournament. This technology will measure heights for balls judged as wides, ensuring a standardized and automated decision-making process. The new rule simplifies what has traditionally been a subjective call by umpires, allowing for greater consistency in officiating.
Moreover, the introduction of the Two-Ball rule starting from the 11th over of the second innings aims to address challenges posed by dew in sub-continental conditions. Under this rule, two separate balls will be used to maintain balance within matches.
As for team leadership, several franchises have appointed new captains. Rajat Patidar will lead the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Axar Patel has taken the helm at the Delhi Capitals, and Riyan Parag will stand in for Sanju Samson at the Rajasthan Royals while he recovers from injury. Shreyas Iyer will captain the Punjab Kings, Ajinkya Rahane leads the Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rishabh Pant continues to lead the Lucknow Super Giants. These shifts in leadership come alongside changes in coaching staff for various teams, bringing fresh perspectives to the 2025 season.
Rishabh Pant also made headlines as the most expensive player in IPL history, fetching INR 27 crore at the auction, surpassing the previous record held by Mitchell Starc. This record not only highlights Pant's growing influence in the game but also the escalating competition among franchises to secure top talent.
The BCCI has also extended the player replacement policy, allowing teams to sign replacements for injured players up to their 12th league match instead of the previous limit of the seventh game. This update provides teams with more flexibility to manage player availability over the course of the season.
With all these changes and innovations, the IPL 2025 season is poised to take cricketing excitement to new heights. The tournament kicks off with a match between the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating season.
