TATA IPL 2025: BCCI Reveals Four Significant Rule Changes Before Season Start
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced four significant rule amendments for the next TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. The move comes after a Captains', Coaches, and Managers' conference on March 20 at the BCCI office, where members from all 10 teams gave feedback on playing conditions. The amendments, decided upon consensus, seek to improve the quality of the competition.
Use of Saliva to Polish the Ball Again
Bowlers can again polish the ball with saliva, bringing back the good old days of traditional ball preparation methods. The ban, enforced earlier in response to the COVID-19 pandemic on health and safety grounds, has now been revoked after discussing with all the franchises. This change is bound to benefit swing bowlers and bring back conventional cricketing practice.
Replacement of Ball to Combat Dew
To counter the effect of dew in night matches, the second-placed team can now ask for a ball change once after the 10th over.
The bowling captain can ask for a change irrespective of perceptible dew, and the umpires will exchange the ball with another of comparable wear and tear. The team cannot select the replacement ball.
Umpires can also alter the ball prior to the 10th over if it gets too wet, out of condition, lost, or damaged.
If, after a few overs following a replacement, the ball is found to be overly wet as a result of dew, umpires are required to replace it according to procedure.
The rule is likely to level the ground, eliminating the disadvantage to bowlers when dew causes the ball to be difficult to grip.
Implementation of a New Code of Conduct
The new Code of Conduct will come into effect from IPL 2025, which will implement a demerit points system. The new system will monitor disciplinary offenses, and demerit points will be valid for 36 months. Gaining a certain level of points will result in suspensions, ensuring the on-field discipline is enforced rigorously.
Increase in DRS Scope
The Decision Review System (DRS) will now include height-based no-ball reviews and wide-ball reviews outside the off-stump. This addition will make use of Hawk-Eye and ball-tracking technology, helping umpires make correct and consistent decisions.
