IPL 2025: Umpires started checking the size of the bat, why did BCCI implement this rule in IPL? Know more

Keeping in mind the long sixes being hit in IPL, the on-field umpires have started suddenly checking the size of the batsmen's bats, breaking away from tradition. The purpose of checking the bat is to prevent batsmen from getting an unfair advantage. Checking of bats is a popular process, but till last season it was limited to inside the dressing room, but keeping in mind the long and big strokes being continuously hit by the batsmen in IPL, BCCI has decided to be even more vigilant. Under this, the board has given the on-field umpires the right to check the batsmen's bats during the live match. If the umpires feel during the match that the batsman's bat is thicker than the prescribed size, then they can check his bat in the middle of the match itself.

The size of the bat is measured with a bat gauge.

A former umpire who has umpired in more than 100 IPL matches told that the umpires keep a bat gauge of the prescribed bat size with them. If the bat passes through this gauge then there is no problem, if the bat does not pass through it then it means that the blade of the bat is wider than the prescribed width. According to the rule, the width of the middle part of the bat should not be more than 2.64 inches.

Salt-Hardik's bats have been checked.

The on-field umpires have so far checked the size of the bats of Hetmyer, Phil Salt and Hardik Pandya. Their bats were found to be within the prescribed limit. However, the BCCI is still silent on whether any batsman's bat has been found to be wider than the prescribed limit, due to which it was forced to adopt this process on the field.