Lifting Of Saliva Ban In IPL Brings Bowlers Back Into The Game: PBKS' Lockie Ferguson

Punjab Kings pacer Lockie Ferguson has given a big thumbs up to the lifting of saliva ban in the IPL, saying it will bring the bowlers "back into the game" by helping them procure reverse swing, a crucial factor in death overs. As per the amended rules in the post-Covid era, bowlers can now use saliva to shine the ball which can help it reverse even in benign conditions. The New Zealander has so far taken three wickets in the IPL with a best of 2/37 against Rajasthan Royals in Mullanpur. "From a fast bowler's point of view, bowling at the death, any assistance we can get to get the ball moving legally and make an impact with it is always greatly appreciated," Ferguson told PTI Videos.

"We have high-scoring games here, which is great... but I suppose if you can shut out overs at the death with the use of reverse swing, then that's helpful," he added.

The BCCI had lifted the ban on use of saliva on the ball in the IPL last month after a majority of the captains agreed to its proposal.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had banned the age-old practice of applying saliva to shine the ball as a precautionary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, the world body made the ban permanent.

The IPL too included the ICC ban in its playing conditions in the aftermath of the pandemic but its guidelines are outside the purview of the sport's governing body.

The IPL 2025 has witnessed several close matches, and fewer runaway totals, partly due to the slight re-balancing of the scale between the bat and the ball.

"We have such dry wickets here in the IPL and sort of dry conditions... I think, it (use of saliva) brings the bowlers back into the game a little bit more, which is great. We want to see a contest between bat and