IPL 2025: Why are umpires performing bat checks on players in the ongoing season?

Indian Premier League (IPL) has been the trend setter not only to an amazing cricket action but also about the concerned rules. After the introduction of Impact Player rule, the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the IPL have come up with a ‘bat check’ rule. In the recent Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals game, Riyan Parag could be seen arguing with the umpire when the test was being completed. 

The biggest reason behind the introduction of this rule is to bring more fairness to the game. As per various reports, there have been occasions when player are found using blades above the specified limit. In the previous editions, bat checks were done on the eve of the game. BCCI, though has changed the norms and has asked the umpires to conduct a check as soon as a batter was walking into bat. 

Sunil Narine of Kolkata Knight Riders had to replace his bat after he failed the check recently. In the last few seasons, IPL has seen some huge scores being posted with bowlers being taken out of the equation. While the pitches have made it easier for teams to score above 270 on occasions, there have also been questions being raised about the bats used by the players. 

IPL ‘bat check’- Everything you need to know about the latest rules

The latest rule to check the players bats came into place on the 13th of April. Since then, the umpires have asked to check the bat’s size during the course of the game. According MCC’s law pertaining to the size of the bats there several limitations to the size of the bat. 

Thickness near the edge of the bat – 4 CM or 1.56 Inches 

Depth of the bat – 6.7 CM or 2.63 Inches

Width of the bat – 10.8 CM or 4.25 Inches

If any player fails to match these required standards, then he has to change his bat. England Cricket Board are pretty serious about the rule and imposed 12 penalty points on Essex during the 2024 County season. BCCI for its part hasn’t decided yet on the penalty so far since the law was implanted.

This latest rule is aimed to bring parity in the contest between the bat and ball. Apart from Sunil Narine, his KKR teammate Anrich Nortje’s bat also failed the check. The latest move by BCCI must be lauded as the rest of the IPL 2025 season could see even contest between sides and get the bowlers into play.