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"Forgot That I Can Use I t": RCB’s Bhuvneshwar Reacts To Saliva Ban Being Lifted

Rajgeeta Yadav

Bhuvneshwar Kumar reveals [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Bhuvneshwar Kumar reveals [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

RCB fast bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar recently shared something funny and honest ahead of their match against PBKS on April 18. The experienced pacer, who just became the first Indian fast bowler to play 300 T20 matches, said he forgot that the ban on using saliva on the ball has been removed in IPL 2025.

BCCI Lifts Ban On Use Of Saliva

For those who don’t know, the BCCI (India’s cricket board) recently allowed players to use saliva again to shine the ball. This was a common practice in cricket before the COVID-19 pandemic. But during COVID, using saliva was banned to avoid spreading the virus. 

The ban was made permanent in 2022 by the ICC (International Cricket Council). However, BCCI has now lifted it for IPL 2025, making it the first big tournament to bring the rule back.

Bhuvneshwar, during a press conference, laughed and said:

"I haven't used Saliva. I forgot that I can use it. When I saw Starc, it came to mind that I should be using saliva. I'm not sure if it'll help me or not, but I'll definitely use it in the next match." Bhuvneshwar Kumar said.

Saliva is usually used by bowlers to make one side of the ball shiny, helping them get reverse swing; which is a big advantage, especially in T20 cricket where batters go big from ball one.

IPL Bowlers' Take On The Rule Change

While some bowlers like DC’s Mitchell Starc feel saliva doesn’t make a big difference in white-ball cricket, others like Mohammed Shami, Siraj, and Varun Chakravarthy have openly welcomed the rule change.In fact, one Gujarat Titans (GT) pacer even said using saliva helped him get a good spell this season.

With BCCI bringing back saliva use, bowlers finally have something extra in their armoury. And with a swing master like Bhuvneshwar Kumar back in action, fans are excited to see if it makes any difference in the upcoming matches.