India, March 21 -- The bowlers can apply saliva on the ball for the first time in five years. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has lifted the ban for the upcoming IPL 2025, which begins March 22. However, India and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakaravarthy believes applying saliva on the ball won't make much difference.

All ten captains gave their consent during their meeting at the BCCI headquarters, and hence, the board lifted the ban on saliva. For the uninitiated, the ICC had banned using saliva to shine the ball as a precautionary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic before making it permanent in 2022. The IPL then introduced the ban on saliva.

The board has also introduced a new rule requiring a secon...