Why umpires checked RR, RCB players’ bats; what IPL rule says

In a rare sight during an Indian Premier League (IPL) game, the on-field umpires checked the bats of two batters during the Rajasthan Royals (RR) versus Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) game in Jaipur on Sunday (April 13).

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The umpires Nitin Menon and Sai Darshan Kumar were seen checking – first – RR’s Shimron Hetmyer’s bat, and later RCB opener Phil Salt and No. 3 batter Devdutt Padikkal’s willows at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Both bats passed the checks and they batted. RCB won the game by nine wickets.

Why bats are checked

Usually, umpires check whether the bats conform to the rules of IPL as set out in the ‘Match Playing Conditions’. On Sunday, the umpire checked for the thickness of Hetmyer’s bat using a device. And, it was as per the rules.

Also read: RCB cruise to victory over RR

During commentary on Star Sports, former India cricketer Sanjay Bangar said that umpires do random checks of bats a day before the match. He wondered whether umpires had been given added responsibility in IPL 2025 to check the bats during the match.

What IPL rules say on bat sizes

5.7 Bat size limits

5.7.1 The overall length of the bat, when the lower portion of the handle is inserted, shall not be more than 38 in/96.52 cm.

5.7.2 The blade of the bat shall not exceed the following dimensions:

Width: 4.25in / 10.8 cm

Depth: 2.64in / 6.7 cm

Edges: 1.56in / 4.0cm

Furthermore, it should also be able to pass through a bat gauge as described in paragraph 1.6 of Appendix B.

5.7.3 The handle shall not exceed 52% of the overall length of the bat.

5.7.4 The material permitted for covering the blade in clause 5.4.1 shall not exceed 0.04 in/0.1 cm in thickness.

5.7.5 The maximum permitted thickness of protective material placed on the toe of the blade is 0.12 in/0.3 cm.

1.6 of Appendix B