NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Royals’ Riyan Parag was at the center of a rare interruption during the IPL 2025 match against Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, as he was forced to change his bat moments before taking strike.
Coming in to bat in place of the injured Sanju Samson, Parag was halted by the on-field umpire for a routine bat gauge check. The bat failed to meet the required specifications, leading to a brief but animated exchange between the batter and the official. Despite his protest, Parag had no option but to change his bat before resuming play.
A video capturing the incident has gone viral on social media, showing the exact moment the bat was tested and Parag’s visible displeasure upon learning it didn’t pass.
However, the change in equipment didn’t bring a change in fortune. Parag managed just 8 runs from 11 balls before being dismissed.
This incident adds to a growing list of players flagged for bat regulation breaches this season. Earlier, KKR’s Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje were also made to replace their bats after similar checks by match officials.
Poll
Should players be penalized for using non-compliant bats?
According to IPL 2025 regulations, bats must adhere to strict dimensions: a maximum width of 10.79 cm, blade thickness of up to 6.7 cm, edge thickness not exceeding 4 cm, and a total length capped at 96.4 cm.
With enforcement tightening, players and franchises are being reminded that compliance with equipment standards is non-negotiable this season.
WHY ARE UMPIRES CHECKING BATS?
The umpires are checking the bats as part of BCCI protocol which aims to prevent players from gaining unfair advantages in an era of aggressive powerhitting.
The BCCI has authorised IPL match officials to inspect any bat they consider necessary during live games, marking a significant change from previous seasons where such checks were confined to dressing rooms.
WHAT ARE THE RULES ON BAT SIZES?
The ICC regulations stipulate specific bat dimensions. The bat 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).
Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.
