On Friday (April 25), Ravindra Jadeja had to change his bat without facing a single delivery during the match between Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.
Why CSK’s Ravindra Jadeja Was Asked To Switch Bat Before Facing A Ball
The incident happened in the fifth over when Jadeja came out to bat after Sam Curran was dismissed by Harshal Patel. Before Ravindra Jadeja could even face a ball, the on-field umpire checked his bat using a gauge.
What Is the Gauge Test and Why It Matters in IPL 2025
In the gauge test, the umpires use a tool to check if the bat meets the required dimensions according to the rules. If the bat doesn’t pass the test and can’t fit through the gauge, the batsman has to change it right away.
The current rule limits the thickness of bat edges to 4cm (1.56 inches), the overall depth of the bat to 6.7cm (2.64 inches), and the width to 10.8cm (4.25 inches). When the umpire checked Ravindra Jadeja’s bat with the gauge, it didn’t pass, so the CSK star had to switch to a different bat.
Watch the viral video:
— crictalk (@crictalk7) April 25, 2025
Oversized Bats Under Scrutiny as Umpires Enforce Rules Strictly
Ravindra Jadeja isn’t the first player to change his bat for failing the gauge test in IPL 2025. During the match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings, three players – Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Anrich Nortje – also had to change their bats.
Reports say the umpires have been instructed to check bats to ensure there is a fair balance between the bat and ball. The officials don’t want batters to get an unfair advantage by using bigger bats.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK), the five-time IPL champions, are nearly out of the playoffs race this season. The MS Dhoni-led team suffered their seventh loss after being beaten by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) by five wickets at their home ground, the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
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