IPL 2025: Why umpires checked Hardik Pandya’s bat size during DC vs MI match?

Star all rounder Hardik Pandya's bat had to go through a test on Sunday, April 13, in Match 29 of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL 2025), at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. Mumbai Indians (MI) returned to winning ways as they ended Delhi Capitals' (DC) unbeaten run in the tournament.

In the first innings, Pandya walked out to bat at No. 5 after the fall of Suryakumar Yadav's wicket. As the Baroda all-rounder was heading towards the pitch, umpire Chris Gaffaney stopped him briefly and used a gauge to check whether the bat was going through it. He ran the gauge through the entire length of Pandya’s bat to ensure it passed through it sans any hassle.

It's a way to check for the width of bats. It was the third such instance of an umpire intervening to check the bat’s width in the day. Earlier, Shimron Hetmyer and Philip Salt’s bats were also examined during Match 28 between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Jaipur.

“The blade of the bat shall not exceed the following dimensions: Width: 4.25in / 10.8 cm, Depth: 2.64in / 6.7 cm, Edges: 1.56in / 4.0cm. Furthermore, it should also be able to pass through a bat gauge,” states the playing conditions of the IPL 2025.

Watch the viral video of Hardik Pandya's bat checking here:

`@Sneha4kohli

Umpire checked Hardik Pandya bat before he came to bat today😭😭 Unreal Aura🔥🔥

08:47 PM · Apr 13, 2025

7.4K230

Delhi collapse after strong start as MI bowlers seal thrilling win

Hardik could only manage two runs on Sunday. However, Mumbai posted a formidable total of 205/5 after Tilak Varma (59), Ryan Rickelton (41), Suryakumar Yadav (40), and Naman Dhir (38*) made excellent contributions.

In reply, Delhi were cruising along and needed just 87 runs off 59 balls with nine wickets in hand on a ground where the boundaries are quite short. However, they suffered a dramatic batting collapse and were bowled out for 193 in 19 overs. Karn Sharma was the pick of the MI bowlers in his first match of the season. He finished with figures of 3/36 in his four overs.