Controversy Erupts in IPL 2025 as Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje’s Bat Sizes Come Under Scrutiny
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has introduced on-field inspections of players’ bats during IPL 2025, a move that has sparked considerable discussion among fans and players alike. The inspections commenced on Sunday during matches that included the Rajasthan Royals (RR) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) versus Mumbai Indians (MI). Notably, pictures of MI captain Hardik Pandya’s bat being inspected circulated widely, although all bats from the MI team were confirmed to comply with regulations. The inspections aim to ensure fair play and maintain the balance between bat and ball in the league.
In a historic moment on Tuesday, the bats of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) players Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje failed the mandatory ‘gauge test.’ This incident marked the first instances of players failing the bat size checks in this IPL season. The tests were conducted just before KKR’s innings during their match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), which KKR ultimately lost.
Kolkata Knight Riders Encounter Bat Size Issues
The first player to face scrutiny was Sunil Narine, whose bat was found to exceed the permitted dimensions. Reserve umpire Saiyed Khalid conducted the inspection just before KKR’s innings commenced. In a video that gained significant attention on social media, Narine was seen alongside teammate Angkrish Raghuvanshi as the gauge test was performed. While Raghuvanshi’s bat passed the check, Narine’s did not. Consequently, Narine had to switch bats, which may have contributed to his early dismissal; he was bowled by Marco Jansen for just five runs.
Following Narine, Anrich Nortje, who was making his debut for KKR, also faced the same fate. He walked out to bat when KKR was in a precarious position at 95 for nine in the 16th over. Unfortunately for Nortje, his bat also failed the size check, and he was left stranded at the non-striker’s end when Andre Russell was bowled off the first delivery he faced.
Coaches Weigh In on Bat Inspections
In the wake of the bat size incidents, Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Daniel Vettori commented on the new regulations. Speaking at a pre-match press conference, he remarked that while he wishes bat checks had been implemented during his playing days, he did not believe they would significantly impact the game. Vettori noted that players are accustomed to regular inspections, and the process of on-field checks is relatively quick, allowing the game to proceed without major interruptions.
Vettori acknowledged the evolution of cricket bats, stating that advancements in manufacturing have allowed for larger bats without increasing their weight. He believes this trend is part of the game’s natural progression. While he did not express concern over potential alterations to bat sizes, he emphasized that the thrill of high-scoring matches is what fans enjoy most.
Industry Perspectives on Bat Regulations
Paras Anand, CEO of the renowned bat manufacturer Sanspareils Greenlands (SG), shared his insights regarding the necessity of balancing the game. He suggested that rather than solely focusing on bat dimensions, the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the International Cricket Council (ICC) should consider other changes to enhance the fairness of the game. Anand emphasized that modern players train to hit sixes, and simply making minor adjustments to bat sizes may not suffice.
He proposed alternatives such as developing more sporting pitches, using balls that offer more swing, or increasing the size of the playing fields. Anand pointed out that previous regulations aimed at limiting bat sizes did not significantly reduce the number of sixes hit in matches. The BCCI’s recent move to enforce on-field inspections aims to ensure compliance with bat specifications, which include specific dimensions for width, depth, and edge size as outlined in the IPL rulebook. This proactive approach is seen as a measure to maintain the integrity of the game and uphold fair competition among players.
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