In a move that could have global impact the BCCI is considering lifting the ban on applying saliva on the ball in the Indian Premier League beginning March 22. The proposal has been discussed at length internally within the BCCI and will be floated to captains of all IPL teams in a meeting in Mumbai on Thursday. The International Cricket Council ICC had banned the age-old practice of applying saliva to shine the ball as a precautionary measure during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 the ICC made the ban permanent. The IPL too included the ICC ban in its playing conditions in the aftermath of the pandemic but its guidelines are outside the purview of the sports governing body. quotUsing saliva on the ball was part of the essence of the game until COVID hit. Now that we dont have that threat anymore we feel there is no harm in lifting the ban on saliva in the IPL. quotWe understand that it makes a bigger impact in red ball cricket but even if it can help bowlers a bit in the white ball game it should be allowed in the IPL which is a trend setting tournament. Lets see what the captains decide tomorrowquot a top BCCI official told PTI. If the ban is revoked in the IPL the ICC too might be forced to review its stance on the subject. On the sidelines of the ICC Champions Trophy senior India pacer Mohammed Shami had spoken about the need to use saliva on the ball in what has become a predominantly batters game. The likes of Vernon Philander and Tim Southreee had backed Shamis call. quotWe keep appealing that we should be allowed to use saliva so that we can bring reverse swing back into the game and it becomes interestingquot Shami had said during the 50-over event in Dubai where India emerged victorious. As per the existing rules if it is a first instance of applying saliva on the ball the fielding teams captain is summoned and issued a first warning. quotIf it is the second instance during an innings summon the captain of the fielding side and issue a second and final warning to the captain of the fielding side that any further such offence by any member of the team during the innings shall result in that member of the team being fined by BCCI. quotIf it is the third or subsequent instance inform the player who has applied saliva to the ball on that occasion that he is subject to a fine payable to BCCI of the lesser of 10 lakh or 25% of his match feequot states last years IPL playing conditions. DRS to be extended to height and off-side wides ================================ The IPL is set to approve the use of DRS for height wides and wides outside the off-stump. quotHawk eye and ball tracking will be used to decide on the height wides and wides outside the off-stump. The team would be allowed to review if the on-field umpire has given a wide ball for height. If that team thinks it was not high enough for a wide they can take the DRSquot the official added.