In what has come as a groundbreaking development, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced an entirely new rule for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. To counter unfair dew advantage for teams batting second, the IPL 2025 will see teams take a second new ball. The batting first teams will be able to take a fresh ball after the 11th over mark to help negate the dew that makes it tough for the bowler to grip the ball.
What is the 2nd new ball rule at IPL 2025?
The IPL 2025 captains meeting included a discussion of the new rules and regulations, according to Cricbuzz. All of the captains were informed about the new second ball regulation during the Mumbai event. It won’t be a mandatory rule, though. Rather, the umpire will be the only one who may determine whether or not the second ball is permitted. As a result, day games will not be subject to the restriction.
“It’s up to the umpires to determine whether the ball needs to be changed. They will decide based on the presence of dew,” a source asserted to Cricbuzz.
Apart from this, the BCCI has also lifted the ban on the use of saliva on balls. Back in 2020 after the Covid pandemic, bowlers were disallowed to use saliva on the ball to assist reverse swing. Instead, they had to use sweat. But now, with the threat of the virus gone, the BCCI has brought back the rule to assist pacers.
IPL 2025: Important things to know about 2nd new ball
- Innings Application: The rule will be applied in the 2nd innings only.
- Over Threshold: The rule will come into effect after the 11th over.
- Umpire’s Discretion: The umpire will decide whether the ball needs to be changed.
- Dew Factor: The decision to change the ball will be based on the presence of dew.
- Afternoon Matches: The rule is unlikely to be applied in afternoon matches.
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 20, 2025
TWO BALLS TO COUNTER DEW.
– The BCCI has agreed to use 2 balls in the 2nd innings. 2nd ball will be taken from the 11th over to counter dew. (Cricbuzz). pic.twitter.com/LGPs2MrdIJ
