As IPL changes in 2025 gets ready to start, several new rules have been introduced that have taken everyone by surprise. These changes will affect the captains, bowlers, and even the way the game is played. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has made sure to hold a meeting with the captains to explain these new rules, and some of them are quite shocking!
There are new rules about slow over rates, saliva use by bowlers, two new balls in the second innings, and even changes in the Decision Review System (DRS). These changes aim to improve the game and make it more exciting for both players and fans. Let’s take a closer look at these big changes!
1. Slow Over Rate Rule Changes for Captains

The first big rule change is about the slow over rate and how it affects the captains. In the past, if a captain was found guilty of a slow over rate twice, they were banned from playing the third match. But now, instead of banning the captain immediately, they will get Demerit Points.
If a captain makes the same mistake over and over again, they will get more and more demerit points, which could lead to a ban after a number of matches. This rule has brought some relief to captains, as they won’t face an immediate ban for a single mistake. However, they still need to be careful about their team’s over rate.
2. The Return of Saliva for Bowlers
Another change that many bowlers are happy about is the return of saliva to shine the ball. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of saliva was banned to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Now, after the approval from IPL franchises, the rule has been reversed.
Bowlers can once again use saliva to shine the ball and improve the ball’s swing. This means we will likely see more exciting reverse swings and fast bowlers challenging the batsmen more than before. This change will definitely help the bowlers, but it also means that batsmen might have to face more tricky deliveries!
3. Two New Balls in the Second Innings
In another big change, two new balls will now be used in the second innings of IPL matches. This is a change we haven’t seen before, especially in T20 cricket. The reason for this change is to combat dew. In the evening, dew can cause the ball to get wet and hard to grip for the bowlers.
The batsmen benefit from this because it becomes easier to hit the ball. To solve this issue, after the 11th over, a new ball will be introduced to help the bowlers get better grip and swing. This change will make the game more interesting, as both bowlers and batsmen will have their own advantages.
4. Changes to the Impact Player Rule
The Impact Player Rule, which was introduced last season, will continue to be used in IPL 2025. However, there will be no major changes to how the rule works.
The rule allows teams to replace a player during the match to create a more balanced team based on the game situation. This rule is set to stay in place until 2027, giving teams flexibility in making strategic decisions.
5. DRS Now Covers Height and Off-Stump Wide Calls
Another important rule change is with the Decision Review System (DRS). In past seasons, the DRS was only used for certain types of decisions, but now it will cover more areas. For example, the DRS can now be used to review whether a ball is too high or wide of the off-stump.
This will allow captains and players to challenge more decisions and get a better idea of whether the umpire’s call was correct. Also, ball-tracking technology will now be used to give accurate information about how the ball moved, its height, and whether it went wide. This makes the review system more useful and accurate.
How These New Rules Will Change IPL 2025
These five big rule changes in IPL 2025 will surely make the matches more exciting. The captains will have to be more careful about their team’s over rates, while bowlers will enjoy the freedom to use saliva and get the ball to swing more.
The introduction of two new balls in the second innings will help the bowlers, and the changes to the DRS will make the system more accurate. Overall, these new rules aim to balance the game and create more thrilling moments for fans. What do you think about these changes?
Are they a good idea or not? Let us know in the comments! Stay updated with the latest sports news, including cricket and IPL, right here.