In a rare but notable move, umpires in IPL 2025 have begun checking players’ bats during matches to prevent unfair advantages from oversized bats.
Viral videos show Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya getting their bats inspected by on-field umpires using a special bat gauge. While bat checks are usually done in the dressing room, this season has seen a visible shift with mid-match inspections happening more frequently.
On Sunday, umpires Nitin Menon and Sudarshan Kumar checked the bats of players like Phil Salt, Shimron Hetmyer, Nitish Rana, and Riyan Parag, while Chris Gaffaney and Vinod Seshan were seen inspecting Hardik Pandya’s bat.
According to ICC regulations, a bat’s width should not exceed 4.25 inches, spine thickness must be within 2.64 inches, and edge thickness should be under 1.56 inches.
With over 525 sixes smashed in just 29 matches this season, and Nicholas Pooran leading the chart with 31 sixes, the BCCI is reportedly ensuring that players aren’t gaining undue power from non-compliant bats.
