India, April 16 -- This IPL 2025 has occasionally witnessed an interesting visual, with on-field umpires checking the bats of cricketers randomly. This, going forward, is set to become a norm in the Indian Premier League, with every batter going through a bat check. BCCI secretary and IPL governor Arun Dhumal has revealed that players will have to undergo the 'bat gauge', equipment that will be in possession of the umpires before taking strike.

Three days ago, during Rajasthan Royals' home game against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Shimron Hetmyer and Phil Salt were stopped abruptly and had their bats checked. Both batters put their bats through the gauge, and only once it passed through cleanly were they allowed to carry on. With several...