How Are Umpires Stopping Batters From Using 'Oversized' Bats In IPL 2025?

According to a report in the Indian Express, several batters have been using ‘oversized’ bats in the Indian Premier League. As a result, the BCCI have come up with a rule where every batter will have to pass their bat through a gauge before batting in the IPL 2025. 

While the fourth umpire has been given the responsibility to check the bats of openers before they walk out to bat, the remaining batters will have to clear the “bat gauge” by the on-field umpires. Last year, English county club Nottinghamshire were docked points for one similar instance.

Talking to the Indian Express, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal said: “Nobody should feel that somebody’s got an undue advantage. The BCCI and IPL have always taken all initiatives in this direction so that the fairness of the game is maintained. 

“We have used technology to the maximum to make sure that all decisions can be reviewed so that the games don’t get unfairly affected. The idea behind this initiative is to ensure that the spirit of the game is maintained.”

Till the last season, the bats were checked on the eve of the game, but some of the batters would turn up with different bats for the match. “The triangle-shaped plastic gauge has the dimensions of a legal bat printed on it: depth 2.68 inches, width 4.33 inches, edges 1.61 inches. The curve, or the bulge of the bat, seen on the lower non-hitting side of the bat, needs to be within 0.20 inches,” reported the portal.

However, some of the batters would tweak the “bat bulge” without increasing the weight of the bat. “They bulk up the lower part of the bat since that is the area of the bat where the batsmen try to make contact with the ball. More wood around the ‘sweet spot’ and less wood close to the handle gives more power to strokes,” said an international batter who has played with oversized bats.