Varun Chakaravarthy reacted to BCCI lifting the ban on saliva in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
For the first time in five years, bowlers will be allowed to apply saliva to the ball in IPL matches. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially lifted the restriction ahead of IPL 2025, set to begin on March 22. However, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy believes the change will have minimal impact on the game.
The decision to lift the ban was made after all ten IPL captains agreed during a meeting at the BCCI headquarters. Originally, the ICC had banned the use of saliva as a safety measure during the COVID-19 pandemic and later made it a permanent rule in 2022. The IPL followed suit, enforcing the restriction until now.
Additionally, the BCCI has introduced a new rule mandating a second new ball during the second innings to counteract the effects of dew. According to Varun, this adjustment may be more beneficial for spinners since the ball will not become excessively wet.
Varun Chakravarthy Shares His Perspective
Speaking to the media ahead of KKR’s IPL 2025 opener against RCB, Varun expressed his views on the rule changes.
“I have seen the updates in the regulations, but I don’t think the saliva rule will have much of an impact. The dew-related change, however, where the ball is replaced, might be advantageous for spinners,” he stated. “When the ball is switched around the 11th or 12th over, spinners will be in action. At that point, the ball won’t be as wet, which could be helpful,” he added.
A Different Take from Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj
Varun’s stance contrasts with the views of pacers Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, who previously voiced their support for the return of saliva application, emphasizing its role in generating reverse swing. During the Champions Trophy, Shami had shared his thoughts, stating, “We have been requesting the reintroduction of saliva use because it helps bring back reverse swing, making the game more engaging.” Echoing a similar sentiment, Siraj welcomed the move, emphasizing its significance for fast bowlers.
“It’s a great decision for us bowlers. When there’s no movement in the ball, applying saliva can increase the chances of reverse swing,” Siraj told PTI. He further explained, “Scrubbing the ball against the shirt doesn’t aid reverse swing much. However, using saliva helps maintain shine on one side, which is crucial.” with contrasting opinions among bowlers, the impact of the saliva ban’s removal will be closely watched in IPL 2025.