Ahead of the 2025 IPL season, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced a groundbreaking change in how bat sizes are inspected during matches. In an effort to ensure stricter compliance with official regulations and to maintain fairness in the game, on-field umpires have been instructed to regularly check the size of bats during matches. This marks a significant shift from previous practices, where bat inspections were traditionally conducted before the match, behind the scenes, away from public view. Now, umpires will use the 'home-shaped bat gauge' on the field, ensuring that each batter's bat conforms to the prescribed dimensions before they take guard.
While bat size inspections have always been a part of the IPL, they were previously limited to pre-match checks in the dressing room. Players would submit their bats for inspection, and these checks were typically done out of sight of the fans and media. However, the BCCI's new protocol ensures that this process takes place right in the middle of the game, adding an extra layer of transparency. The bat gauge checks require players to pass through a set of measurements, including ensuring that the bat's width does not exceed 4.25 inches, along with other specifications related to the depth and edge of the bat. If a bat fails to meet these requirements, the player would not be allowed to take the field with it.
The implementation of this new method has already seen a few high-profile players, including Hardik Pandya, Phil Salt, and Shimron Hetmyer, subjected to bat size checks during the early part of the season. While none of the bats exceeded the prescribed limits, the move signals the BCCI’s serious commitment to ensuring the integrity of the game. A former umpire has pointed out that players often carry multiple bats, so there has been the possibility of a bat being submitted for inspection, but a different one used during the game. This new protocol eliminates that possibility and ensures that only compliant bats are used on the field.
One of the key motivations for this shift is the increasing dominance of the bat in the modern T20 game, particularly in the IPL's power-hitting era. With batters increasingly relying on bigger bats to hit massive sixes and score quick runs, the role of the ball has been marginalized, leading to a shift in the balance of the game. IPL 2024 saw 10 team scores surpassing 200 in the first three weeks, but in 2025, that number has already doubled, with 19 teams posting totals over 200 in the same period. The rise of big-hitting teams like SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) further exemplifies this trend. In fact, SRH set a new IPL record with a total of 287 runs in 2024, and they nearly matched that this season, posting a score of 286 in their opening game.
This rising number of high scores has naturally raised concerns among bowlers, who feel that the increasing dominance of bats and the larger bats themselves are making it harder to compete. Several prominent bowlers, including R Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, and Shardul Thakur, have publicly voiced their concerns about the growing imbalance between bat and ball. Ashwin, in particular, spoke passionately on his YouTube channel, pointing out that bowlers are finding it more difficult to perform at their best due to the power-hitting styles of modern batsmen. He jokingly remarked that bowlers might soon require personal psychologists due to the pressures of the game, highlighting how extreme the situation has become.
In response to these growing concerns, the BCCI has taken several steps to support the bowlers. One of the most notable changes is the lifting of the ban on the use of saliva for reverse swing, a restriction that had been in place since the COVID-19 pandemic. This return of saliva use allows bowlers to regain a vital tool in their arsenal, helping them generate more swing and making the contest between bat and ball more balanced. Additionally, in a move to counter the impact of the dew factor, which can make the ball much harder to grip and control during evening matches, the BCCI has introduced the use of a second ball during the second innings of IPL 2025 matches. This change aims to give bowlers a fairer chance to compete, especially during high-scoring games, and to ensure that the ball doesn't become overly slippery, which can lead to skewed results.
The BCCI’s new approach, while aimed at reducing the advantage of the bat, also reflects the evolving nature of the IPL. The league has seen an explosion in the popularity of power-hitting, with scores steadily increasing year after year. The new bat size checks are designed to curb the growing trend of oversized bats, which allow players to hit the ball harder and further, potentially skewing the competitive balance. By placing greater emphasis on regulations that keep the bat in line with the intended standards, the BCCI hopes to restore balance to the game and encourage a fairer competition between bat and ball.
The IPL's fast-paced nature, the introduction of the Impact Player rule, and the continuous innovation in batting techniques all add layers of complexity to the equation. These moves, including the bat size checks and changes in the treatment of the ball, highlight the BCCI's commitment to ensuring the sport remains competitive and enjoyable for players and fans alike. The ongoing changes indicate that the IPL is aware of the importance of preserving the integrity of cricket, especially as the game continues to evolve in this new, high-scoring era. With both batters and bowlers adapting to these new rules, the 2025 season promises to be an exciting and challenging one for everyone involved.
