IPL 2025: Random Bat Tests Catch KKR Players Off Guard
The 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) continues to unfold with unexpected twists. While teams once considered title favorites have struggled, others with modest expectations are surging ahead with consistent victories. Notably, this season has introduced a rare and visible enforcement of bat inspections by match umpires.
Although the bat checking rule is not new, it is being implemented on the field in full view of spectators for the first time. Previously, such inspections were typically conducted before the match or inside dressing rooms. Now, mid-match checks are occurring, with umpires using a bat gauge to assess the full length of the bat and confirm it adheres to the prescribed dimensions.
During Tuesday’s match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), West Indies player Sunil Narine failed the bat check. As Sunil Narine was preparing to bat, officials inspected his bat and found it exceeded the permissible size limits. A video of the inspection and its outcome has since gone viral on social media.
Another player who failed the bat check in the same match was Anrich Nortje. His bat was examined before he entered the field to bat and was also found non-compliant. In a move to curb the advantage of oversized bats, the IPL Governing Council has introduced random bat checks during matches.
According to the regulations set by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the face of the bat must not exceed 10.79 cm in width. The blade thickness should not be more than 6.7 cm, and the edge width must remain within a 4 cm limit. The total length of the bat must not surpass 96.4 cm.
Since the start of this IPL season, random bat inspections have been conducted during match intervals. In some instances, officials have entered dressing rooms to conduct mandatory inspections. Significantly, in matches such as Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) vs Mumbai Indians (MI), bat checks have occurred on the field near the boundary rope, drawing considerable attention.