The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is full of thrilling matches, big sixes, and last-over finishes. But in the middle of all the cricket action, a new controversy has come up involving bat tampering. Two Kolkata Knight Riders players – Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje – have been caught using bats that do not meet the standard size rules set by the cricket authorities. This has shocked fans and raised serious questions about fairness in the game.
Let’s understand what happened and why this issue is bigger than it seems.
What Exactly Was the Issue With the Bats?
In a match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings, the match officials inspected the bats of all players, as is now the practice in IPL. During this check, it was found that the bats used by Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje were slightly larger than allowed. These bats were giving an unfair advantage to the batsmen.
According to cricket rules, the bat must be of a certain size in terms of length, width, and thickness. But some players have been modifying their bats to gain extra power during matches, especially in the T20 format where every run matters.
How Do Batsmen Get an Unfair Advantage With Modified Bats?
In modern cricket, especially T20s like IPL, batsmen often try to make their bats more powerful. Let’s look at how this works:
- Thicker Bottom Edge: Many players increase the thickness of the lower part of their bat. This is the area that often meets the ball during yorkers and low full tosses. A thicker edge means more power and longer distance, even if the shot is mistimed.
- Extra Wood in the Sweet Spot: Some players add more wood to the “sweet spot” of the bat – the ideal place where the ball hits for maximum effect. This gives more punch to their shots, helping them clear the boundary with ease.
- Longer Blade or Bigger Width: Even a few extra millimetres in width or length can make a big difference, especially in short formats like IPL. It increases the hitting area and improves the chance of making contact.
These changes may not seem huge, but in a game of small margins, they give batsmen an edge over bowlers – which is not fair.
Why Is This a Problem for Bowlers?
Bowlers already face a tough challenge in T20 cricket due to shorter boundaries, flat pitches, and power-hitting batsmen. On top of this, if batsmen start using illegal or oversized bats, the balance tilts even more in their favour.
For example, a well-bowled yorker that should stop a six can now be sent out of the ground with a thick, heavy bat. This makes it hard for bowlers to defend runs in the death overs. Bowlers rely on precision and skill, and such unfair tools take away the reward for good bowling.
What Has the BCCI Done So Far?
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now started on-ground bat checks in IPL 2025. Earlier, this used to happen inside the dressing rooms, but now the bats are being checked in the dugouts or on the field, just before the players go out to bat.
This new rule helped catch the oversized bats used by Narine and Nortje. Both players were asked to replace their bats immediately and continue the match with a legal one.
However, there is no official word yet on whether the players will be penalised or fined. Fans and experts are now questioning – if this is a serious violation, then why are there no strict actions being taken?
In England’s county cricket, similar violations led to fines and even deduction of team points. Many believe the IPL should also set a strong example to keep the game clean and fair.
Why This Incident Should Not Be Ignored
Cricket is a game of rules, and even small violations can affect the outcome of a match. Just like ball tampering, bat tampering should also be treated with seriousness. The game must remain fair for both batsmen and bowlers. If such practices are ignored, it might open the door to more cheating methods in future.
With the growing popularity of IPL and increasing fan expectations, it is important for the BCCI to maintain transparency and discipline. The bat-check policy is a welcome move, but stronger steps and clear punishments will send the right message across teams.
For now, all eyes are on how the BCCI handles this controversy and whether further incidents are prevented in the coming matches of IPL 2025.
