Explained: Why Umpires Are Checking Bats On-Field in IPL 2025 – Know All About the New BCCI Bat Rule

BCCI has officially allowed the on field umpires to check the bat sizes during matches to ensure fair play during ongoing Indian Premier League 18th Season. However this practice isn’t a new one but now has gained mass attention after a tweak in the existing rule. Previously, bats were inspected a day prior to the actual match eve and were inspected in the dressing rooms in closed doors. These inspections did exist earlier, but were kept away from public view.

Recently, umpires were seen checking bats of Hardik Pandya and RCB star Phil Salt and also of Shimron Hetmyer during RR vs RCB clash in Jaipur. None of the players were found guilty of rule violations and were led to play freely during their respective match without change in their equipment.

Speaking to The Indian Express, IPL chairman Arun Dhumal said the decision was taken to ensure fairness on the field. “Nobody should feel that somebody’s got an undue advantage,” he said.

Why was the rule introduced?

The new rule has been introduced after Kagiso Rabada voiced a key concern about the lack of balance between bat and ball in T20 Cricket. With teams pushing to cross the 300-run mark, he said that if the trend continued, the game should be called “batting” not “cricket”.

Considering the issue, BCCI is moving to strike a balance and issue new guidelines for the dimensions and weight of the bat. Umpires and match officials have been directed to use a ‘home-shaped bat gauge’ to verify bat dimensions. Each batter must clear this gauge test before stepping into bat. As per the rules, a player’s bat width must not exceed 4.25 inches, and the depth must not exceed 2.64 inches. Moreover, even the edges of the bat should not exceed 1.56 inches.

Although this isn’t a new change, “We always conducted bat checks in the dressing room before the start of the innings. Players would hand over their bats and the check would be completed there,” a former umpire told news agency PTI.

What are the Bat rules in the IPL? 

As per BCCI regulations, the face width must not exceed 4.25 inches (10.79 cm), while the middle of the bat thickness is limited to 2.64 inches (6.7 cm). The edge width cannot be more than 1.56 inches (4 cm), and the bat’s total height from handle to base must not exceed 38 inches (96.4 cm).

To enforce these standards, umpires are now equipped with a ‘home-shaped bat gauge’ to verify compliance on the spot. Every batter must pass this gauge test before taking the crease.

Bringing the new change, BCCI is intended to keep the fair play game on and preserve the integrity and competitiveness of the game.