The Indian Premier League is just around the corner, with the first match kicking off on March 22. Before the big start, team captains got together for a meeting at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s headquarters in Mumbai. This get-together led to some key changes in the game’s rules. For one, bowlers can now use saliva on the ball again – a practice that was banned earlier.
To understand why this is a big deal, imagine you’re a bowler, and your job is to make the ball swing in the air, making it harder for the batsman to hit. Saliva helps the ball swing more, so it’s a useful trick. But during the pandemic, using saliva on the ball was stopped to minimize the risk of spreading the virus. Now, with things getting back to normal, the ban has been lifted.
Another change that’s coming is about when a new ball can be used in a match. From now on, a new ball can be introduced after the 11th over of the second innings in evening games. This is mainly because of dew, which can make the ball slippery and hard to grip. It’s like trying to hold onto a wet soap bar – not easy.
The Indian cricket team’s fast bowler, Mohammed Shami, had recently asked for the saliva ban to be removed. His wish has been granted, and bowlers everywhere are likely to be happy about it.
The first match of the IPL season will be between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore on March 22 at Eden Gardens. As the tournament heats up, fans can look forward to the first qualifier on May 20 in Hyderabad, followed by the eliminator on May 21, also in Hyderabad. The second qualifier will be on May 23 in Kolkata, and the final match will take place on May 25 in Kolkata. It’s going to be an exciting season, and with these rule changes, the game just got a bit more interesting.