The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to usher in its 18th season in 2025 with a slew of innovative rules and regulations aimed at enhancing fairness, excitement, and professionalism in the world’s most popular T20 cricket league.
As the tournament kicks off on March 22, 2025, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru at Eden Gardens, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced several updates that promise to reshape team strategies and elevate the overall spectacle. Here’s a deep dive into the key new rules for IPL 2025 and what they mean for the game.
Saliva Ban Lifted: A Return to Tradition
One of the most significant changes for IPL 2025 is the lifting of the saliva ban, a restriction initially imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic to curb health risks. Bowlers will now be permitted to use saliva to shine the cricket ball, a practice that aids in generating swing and reverse swing—crucial weapons in a bowler’s arsenal.
This decision, finalized after consultations with all 10 IPL team captains during a meeting in Mumbai on March 20, 2025, reverses a rule that had been in place since 2020. Fast bowlers like Mohammed Shami had advocated for its return, arguing that it levels the playing field against batters. While the International Cricket Council (ICC) maintains its ban, the IPL’s autonomy allows it to diverge, potentially giving pacers an edge in the high-scoring T20 format.
The ‘Second Ball’ Rule: Tackling the Dew Factor
Dew has long been a game-changer in night matches, often tilting the advantage toward the team batting second by making it harder for bowlers to grip the ball. To address this, the BCCI has introduced the ‘Second Ball’ rule for IPL 2025. Under this regulation, umpires can assess the ball’s condition after the 11th over of the second inning in night games.
If excessive dew is detected, the bowling team can opt for a new ball—or in some interpretations, a pre-used ball with controlled wear—to restore parity. This rule, however, won’t apply to afternoon matches where dew isn’t a factor. While it aims to promote fairness, the subjective nature of the umpire’s call could spark debates about consistency and disrupt the game’s flow, making it a rule to watch closely as the season unfolds.
Expanded DRS: Precision in Decision-Making
The Decision Review System (DRS) is getting a major upgrade in IPL 2025, expanding its scope to include height-based no-ball reviews and off-side wide calls. Leveraging Hawk-Eye technology and ball-tracking, this enhancement ensures greater accuracy in adjudicating contentious decisions that have historically frustrated teams.
Previously limited to dismissals, the DRS now empowers captains to challenge umpires on no-balls (e.g., overstepping or height) and wides outside the off stump, areas prone to human error in the fast-paced T20 format. This follows the successful integration of the Smart Replay System in IPL 2024, which used eight high-speed cameras to assist umpires.
The expanded DRS promises to reduce errors and add a layer of tactical depth, though it might slow down play if reviews become frequent.
Impact Player Rule Continues: Strategic Flexibility
Introduced in IPL 2023, the Impact Player rule remains a fixture for the 2025-2027 cycle, allowing teams to substitute one player during a match. This rule, which lets franchises swap a batter for a bowler (or vice versa) based on game situations, has been praised for giving uncapped players more opportunities while criticized for diminishing the role of all-rounders.
In IPL 2025, teams can name their playing XI and four substitutes at the toss, with one designated as the Impact Player, usable until the 14th over. The restriction on overseas players persists: an Impact Player can only be foreign if the starting XI has fewer than four overseas players. This continuity ensures teams retain strategic flexibility, keeping fans guessing about mid-match switches.
ICC Code of Conduct Adoption: Discipline on the Field
For the first time, IPL 2025 will align with the ICC’s Code of Conduct regulations, replacing its previous bespoke system. This introduces a demerit points and suspension system, valid for 36 months, to standardize penalties for offenses ranging from Level 1 (e.g., dissent) to Level 3 (e.g., serious misconduct).
The move aims to curb on-field altercations and maintain professionalism in a league known for its intensity. Players will face consistent consequences across international and IPL cricket, potentially deterring reckless behavior and ensuring a smoother, more disciplined tournament.
Match Fees Introduced: Rewarding Participation
A landmark financial update for IPL 2025 is the introduction of match fees, a first in the league’s history. Every player in the playing XI, including the Impact Player, will earn INR 7.5 lakhs (approximately $8,655) per match, on top of their contracted salary.
For a player featuring in all league matches (typically 14), this translates to an additional INR 1.05 crore ($120,000). This initiative, part of a broader salary cap increase to INR 146 crore for 2025 (up from INR 110 crore in 2024), recognizes consistent performers and supports lower-earning players, enhancing the league’s appeal to domestic talent.
Retention and Auction Rules: Building Squads
Ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, held on November 24-25, 2024, in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the BCCI set a retention limit of six players per team, including a maximum of five capped (Indian or overseas) and two uncapped players. Teams could use direct retention or the Right to Match (RTM) option, with the auction purse raised to INR 120 crore.
A strict rule bans players for two seasons if they withdraw after being picked at the auction, deterring last-minute pullouts. Heinrich Klaasen became the most expensive retained player at INR 23 crore. In comparison, Virat Kohli topped Indian retentions at INR 21 crore, reflecting the high stakes of squad-building under the new framework.
Off-Field Regulations: Enhancing Professionalism
The BCCI has also tightened off-field protocols for IPL 2025. Players must travel on team buses, and family members are barred from dressing rooms, even on practice days, with access limited to hospitality areas. Sleeveless jerseys are prohibited at presentations, and batters face warnings for hitting LED boards. Accreditation ID compliance is mandatory, with fines for violations. These measures, mirroring policies for the Indian national team, aim to streamline operations and maintain focus during the high-pressure tournament.
Practice Restrictions: Preserving Pitches
To protect pitches and facilities, teams are limited to two warm-up games or center-wicket practice sessions before the season starts. The practice involves range hitting on side wickets and two nets, ensuring stadiums remain in top condition for the 74-match schedule, running from March 22 to May 25, 2025.
What’s Next for IPL 2025?
As the IPL evolves, these rules signal a commitment to balancing tradition with innovation, addressing long-standing issues like dew and umpiring errors while embracing technology and player welfare. Fans can expect a season of tactical intrigue, with teams adapting to the second ball, expanded DRS, and saliva’s return shaping match outcomes.
With Kolkata hosting the opener and final, and Hyderabad staging the playoffs, IPL 2025 promises to be a thrilling chapter in cricket’s most electrifying league. Stay tuned for a season where every ball could redefine the game!
FAQs: IPL’s New Rules in 2025
Q1: When does IPL 2025 start, and what’s the format?
A: IPL 2025 begins on March 22, 2025, with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. It features 10 teams playing 74 matches in a group stage followed by playoffs, concluding on May 25, 2025.
Q2: Can bowlers use saliva on the ball again?
A: Yes, the saliva ban, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, has been lifted for IPL 2025. Bowlers can now use saliva to shine the ball, aiding swing and reverse swing.
Q3: What’s the ‘Second Ball’ rule?
A: To counter dew in evening matches, the bowling team in the second innings can request a new ball after the 10th over if umpires deem the original ball too wet. This rule doesn’t apply to afternoon games.
Q4: Is the Impact Player rule still in place?
A: Yes, the Impact Player rule, allowing teams to substitute one player during a match, continues for IPL 2025 and is set to stay until at least 2027.
Q5: Are there changes to the Decision Review System (DRS)?
A: Yes, DRS now includes reviews for height-based no-balls and off-side wides, in addition to existing options. Leg-side wides remain at the on-field umpire’s discretion.
Q6: How many players can teams retain?
A: Teams can retain up to 6 players from their 2024 squad, using a combination of direct retentions and Right to Match (RTM) options. This includes a maximum of 5 capped players (Indian or overseas) and 2 uncapped players.
Q7: What’s the auction purse for IPL 2025?
A: Each team has a purse of INR 120 crore for the IPL 2025 auction, up from previous years, with a total salary cap (including match fees) of INR 146 crore.
Q8: What’s new about match fees?
A: For the first time, every player, including Impact Players, earns a match fee of INR 7.5 lakhs per game, on top of their contract amount.
Q9: Are there penalties for overseas players pulling out?
A: Yes, overseas players who register for the auction, get picked, and then withdraw before the season face a 2-year ban from IPL participation.
Q10: Who qualifies as an uncapped player?
A: An Indian player is uncapped if they haven’t played in the starting XI of an international match (Test, ODI, or T20I) or held a BCCI central contract in the last 5 years before the season.
Q11: Can teams bring in temporary replacements?
A: Yes, under special conditions (e.g., all wicketkeepers unavailable), teams can request a temporary replacement with BCCI approval.
Q12: Are there new conduct or logistical rules?
A: Yes, examples include: no family in dressing rooms, mandatory team bus travel, no sleeveless jerseys at presentations, and fines for missing accreditation IDs.
Q13: How are slow over-rates handled now?
A: Captains won’t face match bans for slow over-rates but will incur fines (25-75% of match fees) and demerit points instead.
Q14: Where can I watch IPL 2025?
A: Matches will be broadcast on Star Sports (TV) and streamed on JioHotstar (online) in India.
These updates aim to enhance fairness, excitement, and professionalism in IPL 2025.
Conclusion
IPL 2025 introduces a blend of innovative and practical rule changes that promise to elevate the tournament’s competitiveness and appeal. The return of saliva for bowlers, the ‘Second Ball’ dew solution, and expanded DRS options enhance on-field fairness and excitement. Meanwhile, increased retention limits, a bigger auction purse, and match fees reflect a focus on player value and team strategy.
Stricter conduct rules and penalties for overseas withdrawals underscore the BCCI’s push for professionalism and commitment. As the IPL kicks off on March 22, 2025, these updates set the stage for a thrilling season that balances tradition, innovation, and fan engagement. Get ready for another blockbuster edition!