A major worry expressed by many regarding the imbalance between bat and ball in T20 cricket was echoed by South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada at the beginning of this IPL season. Rabada stated that the game should be referred to as "batting" rather than "cricket" if teams continued to aim for the 300-run milestone.
Why was the rule introduced?
To find a balance, the BCCI is now taking action. All IPL batsmen will now require to run the bat through a gauge before taking guard. The "bat gauge", which is used by the on-field umpires, must be cleared by each batsman after the fourth umpire checks the openers' bats before they take the field. Videos of umpires doing the same with Hardik Pandya and Shimron Hetmyer's bat created quite a buzz on social media.
Instances which initiated the introduction of the latest rule
The action was taken in response to multiple incidents of batsmen using "oversized" bats. In the IPL, these batsmen have been given warnings, but in one instance last year, Nottinghamshire lost points in the English county circuit.
The dimensions of a legal bat—depth 2.68 inches, width 4.33 inches, and edges 1.61 inches — are printed on the triangle-shaped plastic gauge. It must be within 0.20 inches of the curve, or bulge, of the bat on the lower, non-hitting side.
How did officials tackled the issue previously?
Prior to this season, officials would test bats on the eve of the game rather than on match days. However, there was a clear flaw in this system: some batsmen would show up for the match with alternate bats.
Benefits of bats with thicker edges
IPL sources claim that T20 batsmen who violate the rules typically modify the "bat bulge" to their benefit, sweetening the so-called "sweet spot" without adding more legal weight.
Bats with thicker edges are preferred by the less cautious batsmen who get sixes off the first ball. As a result, even the balls they mistime frequently sail past the line. With increased public observation off the field, officials are hoping that no hitter will intentionally leave with an illegally large bat.
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