Published: Apr 16, 2025, 09:05 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 16, 2025, 09:05 PM (IST)
The IPL 2025 has occasionally seen an interesting visual, as the on-field umpires are rondomly checking the player’s bat. This, going forward, will become a regular practice in the tournament as every batter will be required to undergo a bat check.
BCCI secretary and IPL chairman Arun Dhumal explained that umpires will carry a ‘bat gauge’ to ensure all bats meet the required standards before a player takes strike
During the game between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals, the umpire inspected the bats of Phil Salt and Shimron Hetmyer. Both players had to pass their bats through the gauge, and once they cleared it successfully, they were allowed to continue batting.
With multiple 200-plus scores already being posted this season, the board has decided to make the bat gauge mandatory to ensure fair play is upheld.
“Nobody should feel that somebody’s got an undue advantage. The BCCI and IPL have always taken all initiatives in this direction so that the fairness of the game is maintained.”Dhumal told The Indian Express.
“We have used technology to the maximum to make sure that all decisions can be reviewed so that the games don’t get unfairly affected. The idea behind this initiative is to ensure that the spirit of the game is maintained,” Dhumal added
As per the rules, the bats of the opening batters will be checked by the fourth umpire before they enter the field. Previously, the bat check was conducted the day before the match, but it was discovered that some players returned the next day with different bats, revealing a loophole in the system.
“They bulk up the lower part of the bat since that is the area of the bat where the batsmen try to make contact with the ball. More wood around the ‘sweet spot’ and less wood close to the handle gives more power to strokes” an international batsman, familiar with using oversized bats, shared this with the Express.
In Mumbai Indians’ match against Delhi Capitals, Hardik Pandya’s bat passed the check smoothly. However, during the game against Punjab Kings, Sunil Narine of Kolkata Knight Riders faced embarrassment when his bat didn’t fit the gauge, forcing him to switch bats. Anrich Nortje also had to change his bat.
