For the first time in IPL 2025, a batter’s bat did not match the requirements.
During Tuesday’s chase between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur, Anrich Nortje had to switch bats after walking out as the No. 11. TV pundits said the bat he used failed the gauge test administered by the on-field umpires.Another video that has been making the rounds on social media shows Sunil Narine’s bat appearing to fail the gauge test before to the start of the chase.
At the beginning of the 16th over of KKR’s innings, the Nortje incident occurred. Rahmanullah Gurbaz, a substitute, left with extra bats for Nortje, causing the game to pause. The replacement bat passed the test, but Nortje was unable to utilize it since Andre Russell was bowled right away, resulting in PBKS’s lowest-ever successful IPL defense.Previously, bat inspections took place in the dressing room; but, on Sunday, during the Delhi Capitals (DC) vs. Mumbai Indians (MI) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) games, the checks took place on the field of play. In accordance with the regulations, the bat’s face width cannot be greater than 10.79 cm, its blade thickness cannot be greater than 6.7 cm, and its edge width cannot be greater than 4 cm. The bat’s maximum length should be 96.4 cm.As he made his eagerly anticipated comeback from the back injury he sustained during the SA20, this was Nortje’s first IPL 2025 match. He returned statistics of 1 for 23 from his three overs with the ball.
Nitish Rana of RR, whose bat was checked during their match against RCB on Tuesday, claimed he had no issues with the procedure.On the eve of RR’s match against DC in Delhi, he stated, “There is a lack of time in T20s, and if the umpires have the time to check the bat, I guess it is their right to do so – even my bat was checked.” “60–70% of the batsmen were scrutinized during that game. It is fair enough, but we have no control over it and no voice in it. The company that sponsors us makes the bats. However, there is nothing wrong with umpires checking it to make sure they are satisfied.
