A new development grabbed attention during Sunday’s double-header in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, as on-field umpires introduced bat dimension checks during matches. With run-scoring at an all-time high and the total of 200 being crossed on a daily basis by all teams, the umpires' new technique is to make sure that batters are not receiving any undue and illegal advantage.
The most notable instance occurred during the evening clash between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC), where MI skipper Hardik Pandya had his bat measured mid-game. Using a specialized gauge, the umpire carefully verified that the width of Pandya's bat complied with regulations coming in just under the 4.25-inch limit.
The procedure wasn’t limited to just the MI vs DC fixture. Earlier in the day, during the Rajasthan Royals (RR) versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) match, both Phil Salt and Shimron Hetmyer had their bats examined.
What does the rule state about bat size?
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The overall length of the bat, including the handle, must not exceed 38 inches (96.52 cm).
The blade dimensions are restricted to:Width: 4.25 inches (10.8 cm)Depth: 2.64 inches (6.7 cm)Edges: 1.56 inches (4.0 cm)
The bat must also be able to pass through a bat gauge, as specified.
The handle must not be more than 52% of the total length of the bat.
Any covering material on the blade must not exceed 0.04 inches (0.1 cm) in thickness.
The protective material on the toe of the bat must not be thicker than 0.12 inches (0.3 cm).
Has mid match bat check incident ever occurred in the past?
According to The Times Of India report, previously a similar incident occurred in the English County Championship when Essex received a 12-point deduction after their batsman Feroze Khushi's bat failed to meet size regulations during a match with Nottinghamshire. The incident took place when Khushi was on 21 runs from 27 deliveries, requiring him to switch his bat. This sanction ultimately affected Essex's championship aspirations against Surrey.
How did Pandya, Hetmyer and Salt perform after bat checks?
Despite the checks, players still delivered strong performances. RCB opener Phil Salt dazzled with a 33-ball 65 as his team comfortably defeated Rajasthan Royals. Hetmyer, though not as impactful in the match. Pandya could only manage 2 runs during match against Delhi Capitals.
