Unexpected Bat Check Halts Play

During the IPL 2025 match between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Delhi Capitals (DC) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, RR's Riyan Parag faced an unusual interruption. As he stepped in to bat, replacing the injured Sanju Samson, on-field umpires conducted a routine bat gauge check. Parag's bat did not meet the required specifications, leading to a brief but animated exchange with the officials. Despite his protests, he was compelled to switch to a compliant bat before resuming play. ​

Performance Impact and Viral Reactions​

The enforced bat change seemed to affect Parag's performance; he managed only 8 runs from 11 balls before being dismissed. A video capturing the incident, including Parag's visible displeasure and coach Rahul Dravid's stoic expression, quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread discussion. 

BCCI's New Bat Size Enforcement​

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced stricter in-match bat size checks in IPL 2025. Previously conducted in dressing rooms, these checks are now performed on-field to ensure compliance with International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations. Bats must not exceed 10.79 cm in width, 6.7 cm in blade thickness, 4 cm in edge thickness, and 96.4 cm in total length.

Other Players Affected by Bat Checks

Parag is not alone in facing bat compliance issues this season. Kolkata Knight Riders' players Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje also had to replace their bats after failing the gauge test during a match against Punjab Kings. These incidents highlight the BCCI's commitment to maintaining fair play by preventing the use of oversized bats.

Conclusion

The enforcement of bat size regulations in IPL 2025 has introduced a new layer of scrutiny, affecting players' equipment choices and, potentially, their performance. As the season progresses, adherence to these standards will be crucial for all players to ensure uninterrupted participation in matches.