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IPL 2025’s Biggest Controversies: Saliva Ban Lifted, Schedule Disputes & Questions on ‘Impact Player’ Rule
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is not just about breathtaking sixes and nail-biting finishes—it’s also surrounded by controversies that have divided opinions in the cricketing world. From the unexpected decision to lift the saliva ban to heated debates over scheduling fairness and the controversial ‘Impact Player’ rule, IPL 2025 has been making headlines for more than just the action on the field.
In this article, we dive deep into the biggest controversies of IPL 2025 that have sparked widespread debate among players, fans, and experts alike.
1. Saliva Ban Lifted: A Step Backward or a Welcome Change?
One of the most surprising decisions ahead of IPL 2025 has been the BCCI’s decision to lift the saliva ban. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had banned the use of saliva to shine the ball in 2020 as a health precaution during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after discussions with all 10 franchises and captains, the BCCI has decided to allow players to use saliva again, bringing back an old cricketing tradition.
Why Is This Controversial?
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Health Concerns: While COVID-19 restrictions have eased, some health experts believe allowing saliva usage could still pose hygiene risks, especially in a long tournament like the IPL.
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Adaptation to New Methods: Many cricketers had already adjusted to alternative ball-shining techniques, making the reintroduction of saliva seem unnecessary.
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Game Balance Debate: Fast bowlers favor the change as it helps them generate more swing, but some batters feel it could tilt the balance too much in favor of pacers, particularly in night matches.
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Franchise Concerns: Several IPL teams have reportedly raised concerns over the sudden rule change and are seeking further clarification from the governing council on its implementation.
2. IPL 2025 Schedule Disputes: Are Some Teams Being Treated Unfairly?
The IPL has always faced criticism over its scheduling, but this year, the issue has escalated significantly. Some franchises have openly voiced their displeasure over what they believe is an unfair distribution of matches, travel schedules, and rest periods.
Key Complaints from Teams:
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Some franchises have been given multiple back-to-back games with less than 48 hours of rest, whereas others enjoy five-day breaks between matches.
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Certain teams are playing more home games in the first half of the season, giving them a major advantage in familiar conditions.
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With international cricket running parallel to the IPL, several key players have been forced to miss crucial matches due to scheduling conflicts.
What’s the Impact?
The controversy has led to growing frustration among players and coaches, who argue that such an imbalanced schedule could affect team performances. Some teams have even hinted at formally requesting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to reconsider the scheduling format for future IPL seasons.
3. The ‘Impact Player’ Rule Debate: Is It Destroying Traditional Cricket?
Introduced in IPL 2023, the ‘Impact Player’ rule has been a game-changer. It allows teams to substitute one player during a match, adding a strategic twist to the game. However, this year, the rule has come under heavy criticism, with experts arguing that it is disrupting the balance of traditional T20 cricket.
Why Are Many Opposed to It?
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Loss of All-Rounders’ Value – Teams are now relying more on specialists rather than players who can contribute in multiple roles. This reduces the importance of genuine all-rounders, who were once considered crucial in T20 cricket.
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Predictable Strategies – Previously, teams had to balance their playing XI carefully, but with the ability to bring in a fresh player mid-game, some argue that the strategic depth of the sport is being lost.
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Disrupting Cricket’s Essence – Many traditionalists feel that the rule is taking away the essence of a proper cricketing contest, where captains and teams need to make tough decisions before the match, rather than altering their strategies mid-way.
Some former cricketers have even suggested that IPL should consider tweaking the rule to make it less impactful or even scrap it entirely after this season.
4. Umpiring Errors and DRS Controversy: Is Technology Being Used Properly?
While controversial umpiring decisions have always been a talking point in IPL, IPL 2025 has seen an unusually high number of contentious calls, sparking debates over the efficiency of the Decision Review System (DRS).
Major Complaints:
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Several teams have expressed concerns about inconsistencies in ball-tracking and UltraEdge technology, with some DRS decisions appearing contradictory.
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There have been instances where ‘umpire’s call’ has played a decisive role in match outcomes, frustrating both players and fans.
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Some former cricketers have even suggested that the third umpire should be given more authority to overturn on-field calls when there is enough evidence.
The IPL management is reportedly reviewing some of these controversial decisions and might consider updating the review system for future seasons.
5. Franchise vs. BCCI Conflicts: Power Struggles in IPL 2025
Behind the scenes, IPL 2025 has also witnessed tensions between certain franchise owners and the BCCI over revenue-sharing agreements, sponsorship deals, and broadcasting rights. Some franchise owners feel that they should have more say in key tournament decisions, especially given the financial investment they make every season.
What’s the Dispute About?
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Some teams are unhappy with the revised revenue-sharing model, which affects how much money franchises earn from central sponsorships.
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There have been debates about the transparency of sponsorship deals and how teams are compensated for their contributions to IPL’s growing popularity.
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The issue of ticket allocation at various stadiums has also become a hot topic, with teams demanding more control over how match-day revenue is distributed.
If these conflicts continue to escalate, it could lead to bigger confrontations between franchises and the IPL governing body in the coming years.
What’s Next for IPL 2025?
Despite these controversies, IPL 2025 remains one of the most thrilling and watched sporting events globally. The competition on the field has been electrifying, with record-breaking performances and unpredictable outcomes keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
However, the off-field drama surrounding the tournament continues to be a major talking point. Whether it’s the scheduling disputes, the saliva ban debate, concerns over umpiring, or franchise conflicts, these issues could shape the future of the league in the coming years.
With fans eagerly watching every twist and turn, it remains to be seen whether IPL’s governing body will take action to address these concerns or if these debates will continue to fuel discussions for seasons to come.
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