IPL 2025 / Why did the umpires start checking the bats, BCCI changed the rules

IPL 2025: A new scene is being seen in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Umpires are now checking the bats of the players on the field. Usually this process used to take place in the dressing room before the start of the innings, but this time the bats of players like Shimron Hetmyer, Phil Salt and Hardik Pandya were checked on the field itself. The question arises that why did the BCCI make this change? Were the players using bigger size bats, or is there any other reason behind it?

BCCI's new rule: Umpires got the right to investigate

BCCI has given special rights to the umpires this season that they can check the bat at any time during the match, if they feel it is necessary. Earlier this investigation was limited to the dressing room, where the players used to deposit their bats. But now suddenly the bat is being asked for and checked on the field. This raises a new question: Do the players give one bat for investigation and use the other on the field?

Former umpire expressed surprise

A former BCCI umpire, who has umpired more than 100 IPL and many international matches, expressed surprise at this change. Talking to PTI, he said, "Umpires have a 'house-shaped' bat gauge, in which the bat has to be fitted. If the bat fits in the gauge, then it is considered as per the rules. Earlier this process was completed in the dressing room. But if a player was giving one bat for inspection and using another, then this new rule is the right step."

He further said that players keep many bats, whose weight may vary. But the length, width, thickness and edge size of the bat should be as per the ICC rules.

ICC's rules related to bats

• The ICC has made strict rules regarding the size of the bat:
• Width (face): maximum 10.79 cm (4.25 inches)
• Thickness of the middle part: maximum 6.7 cm (2.64 inches)
• Thickness of the edge: maximum 4 cm (1.56 inches)
• Total length: maximum 96.4 cm (38 inches)
• To ensure that these rules are followed, umpires are now checking on the field as well.

Which players' bats were checked?

On Sunday, the bats of Shimron Hetmyer of Rajasthan Royals, Phil Salt of Royal Challengers Bangalore and Hardik Pandya of Mumbai Indians were checked. The good thing was that all the bats were found to be according to the rules. However, the BCCI did not clarify whether any player was suspected of breaking the rules, due to which this process was started.

The era of power-hitting and the role of the bat

Nowadays power-hitting is dominant in T20 cricket. A little extra thickness or wide edge of the bat can turn even a miss-hit into a six. So far 525 sixes have been hit in IPL 2025, of which West Indies' Nicholas Pooran has hit 31 sixes alone. In such a situation, if a player uses the bat outside the rules, it raises questions on the fairness of the game.

Is this step right?

This new rule of BCCI can be considered a positive step towards increasing the transparency and fairness of the game. If the players were not following the rules, then the investigation on the middle field will prevent them from doing so. Also, it assures the spectators and fans that the game is being played with complete honesty.

However, some people may consider it inconvenient for the players, as checking the bat in the middle of the match can affect their concentration. But as long as this process is applied equally to everyone, it should be seen in the interest of the game.