Synopsis
In IPL 2025, KKR's players Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Anrich Nortje faced setbacks as their bats failed the gauge test in a match against PBKS. This incident highlights the importance of adhering to ICC regulations for bat legality.Key Takeaways
- Three KKR players had bats fail the gauge test.
- International Cricket Council implemented bat gauge checks in 2017.
- Legal bats must meet specific ICC dimensions.
- The gauge test is now a routine part of IPL 2025.
- Substitute bats were arranged for players whose bats failed.
New Chandigarh, April 16 (NationPress) Three players from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)—Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, and Anrich Nortje—had their bats fail the gauge test during the IPL 2025 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur on Tuesday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) established a protocol in 2017 for umpires to utilize a bat gauge to verify the legality of bats in international cricket encounters. This random on-field check of bats has turned into a standard procedure for the remainder of IPL 2025 to ensure fairness in the competition.
Before KKR's chase of 112 runs, the bats of openers Narine and Angkrish Raghuvanshi were inspected by reserve umpire Saiyed Khalid outside the playing area. Narine's bat failed the gauge test as its thickest part could not fit through the gauge, while Raghuvanshi’s bat successfully passed.
According to the Appendix B – Equipment in T20I Playing Conditions document, a legal cricket bat must conform to the gauge dimensions: 2.68 inches in total depth, 4.33 inches in width, and 1.61 inches for edges. Furthermore, the curve of a legal bat must stay within 0.20 inches.
Later, when Andre Russell took to the crease in the 11th over, umpire Saidharshan Kumar conducted the gauge test, and once again, the bat did not pass.
When Nortje came in to bat at the end of the 15th over, his bat similarly failed the gauge test, prompting a brief stoppage in play. Rahmanullah Gurbaz was brought on as a substitute carrying a selection of spare bats for Nortje.
Although the replacement bat passed the inspection, Nortje didn’t get the chance to use it as Andre Russell was dismissed on the very next ball, leading KKR to be all out for just 95 runs in 15.1 overs.
During the double-header on Sunday, on-field umpires also used a white, triangular-shaped plastic gauge to assess the bats of Shimron Hetmyer, Phil Salt, and Hardik Pandya during the matches between Rajasthan Royals (RR) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) vs Mumbai Indians (MI) held in Jaipur and New Delhi, respectively.
Up until IPL 2024, bat checks were conducted by the fourth umpire with assistance from a franchise’s team manager in the dressing room before a match commenced, as batters typically carry five to six bats in their kit bags.
