IPL 2025: Sunil Narine, Anrich Nortje fail bat-size test during PBKS vs KKR encounter

Umpires have been checking bat sizes with gauge in the ongoing IPL 2025.

In their most recent Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match against Punjab Kings (PBKS), the umpires rejected the bats of Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the bat test. On Tuesday, April 15, the KKR players’ bats failed the necessary inspection at Mullanpur, forcing them to utilize substitute gear.

The fourth umpire and on-field umpires have been directed to examine bats during practice and games to prevent any inconsistencies. Previously conducted outside of games, bat inspections have been more frequent since the start of the current T20 competition.

What IPL Rules Say About Bat Inspections

It is anticipated that the recent IPL bat inspections will continue, particularly in light of the two breaches discovered in a single innings. While some players have been taken aback by the new initiative, both bowlers and analysts have praised it.

“According to the rules, the width of the bat face should not exceed 10.79cm, the thickness of the blade shouldn’t be more than 6.7cm, and the width of the edge of the bat cannot be more than 4cm. The length of the bat should not exceed 96.4cm,” the IPL guidelines stated.

Sunil Narine’s and Anrich Nortje’s bats fail the umpire’s test for size; Watch

Officials checked Sunil Narine and Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s bats soon before the second innings, as shown in a viral video on social media. Raghuvanshi’s bat passed the test; however, Sunil Narine’s bat failed because the gauge did not fully pass. Marco Jansen removed Sunil Narine for just five runs in the first over.

Anrich Nortje batted at No. 11 as KKR struggled at 95-9. Play was delayed while Rahmanullah Gurbaz brought out fresh bats for Nortje. Play resumed once the replacement bat passed the check, but Nortje did not have a chance to use it as his batting partner Andre Russell was removed on the very first delivery.

Here is the video:

Talking about the match, PBKS registered a historic win over KKR in the match at Mullanpur. PBKS had batted first and scored 111 runs. Priyansh Arya (22), Prabhsimran Singh (30), and Shashank Singh (18) were the main contributors. Harshit Rana picked three wickets, while CV Varun and Sunil Narine took two wickets each.

In response, Yuzvendra Chahal picked 4/28, as KKR’s batting crumbled from 62/3 to 95 all out. Angkrish Raghuvanshi was the top scorer for the side with 37 runs. Marco Jansen also took three wickets, including that of Andre Russell, to give PBKS the win. PBKS now hold the record for the lowest total ever defended in the IPL history.

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