IPL’s new bat testing rule draws mixed reactions from players

The Indian Premier League’s new rule requiring bat checks before batsmen take guard has sparked mixed reactions among players. (Reuters)
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Updated 28 April 2025
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IPL’s new bat testing rule draws mixed reactions from players

  • Umpires are using triangle-shaped plastic gauge to inspect bats on the field

LONDON: The Indian Premier League’s new rule requiring bat checks before batsmen take guard has sparked mixed reactions among players.

While aggressive batting is influenced not just by customized bats, but also by technique and strength, the new protocol has led to animated discussions between players and umpires — and to some players reluctantly parting with their preferred match bats.

Previously, officials conducted bat inspections on the eve of matches. However, concerns arose when players occasionally appeared with a different bat on match day.

Now, umpires are using a triangle-shaped plastic gauge to inspect bats on the field.

The gauge ensures that the bat dimensions comply with regulations: A maximum depth of 2.68 inches, width of 4.33 inches and edge thickness of 1.61 inches. The curve on the lower non-hitting side must not exceed 0.20 inches.

Several players have already encountered issues under the new system.

Kolkata Knight Riders’ Sunil Narine and Anrich Nortje both failed the bat gauge test, while umpires took additional time to approve the bats of Andre Russell and Rajasthan Royals’ Riyan Parag.

The question now is whether the rule change will help strike a better balance between bat and ball in the high-scoring era of T20 cricket.

South African pacer Kagiso Rabada, who plays for Gujarat Titans, had previously voiced concern about the oversized bats used in the IPL, claiming they made it possible for batters to even dispatch yorkers for sixes.

“It’s not just about the bats, it’s the power, too,” he said.

Swapnil Asnodkar, a former Rajasthan Royals player who witnessed the power-hitting prowess of legends like Shane Watson, Matthew Hayden, Chris Gayle and Brendon McCullum, believes that bats alone are not responsible for the surge in six-hitting.

“The game has gone to a different level with range and power-hitting. The rule must have been framed after considering certain things. It’s always fair to maintain a balance between the bat and the ball,” he told Sportsboom.com.

“It is also up to individuals. You cannot rule out the special ability of a batter. Some can time it, while some can muscle it. It depends on their bodies also. We have seen how Sourav Ganguly used to hit sixes. With players like Russell, it is all about power,” added Asnodkar, who was part of Rajasthan Royals’ title-winning side in the inaugural IPL season.

Now a certified under-19 coach at the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s National Cricket Academy, Asnodkar pointed to a shift in training methods over the years.

“Correct practice matters a lot. Earlier, we were taught not to hit in the air, but the trend has changed. As players develop, they naturally acquire the habit of hitting sixes. Practicing correctly enhances their skills,” he said, recalling Hayden’s famous Mongoose bat and Gayle’s characteristically “heavy” willow.

Amandeep Singh Kohar, managing director of Hound Cricket Gears, said that manufacturers continued to follow International Cricket Council guidelines and that no new directive has been issued specifically for the IPL.

“We follow ICC guidelines. I have written down all the points needed to fulfill the manufacturing mark. There are too many points, and we are trying to follow all of them,” he said.

Former T20 stars like Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo have used bats manufactured by Hound. The company also produces special edition willows named after Bravo, Narine and Akeal Hosein.

Sportsboom.com also contacted Jatin Sareen, managing director of Sareen Sports, the bat brand used by Narine and Parag, but he declined to comment.


Australia qualify for 2026 World Cup

Updated 3 sec ago
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Australia qualify for 2026 World Cup

PARIS: Australia booked their place at the 2026 World Cup in North America with a 2-1 win over Saudi Arabia in Jeddah on Tuesday.
The Socceroos will play in a sixth consecutive World Cup finals after finishing second in Group C in the third round of Asian qualifiers, as the Saudis head into the fourth round.


Canelo Alvarez to face Terence Crawford in Riyadh Season Las Vegas showdown

Updated 10 June 2025
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Canelo Alvarez to face Terence Crawford in Riyadh Season Las Vegas showdown

  • Fight between 2 of boxing’s biggest generational athletes will be streamed on Netflix
  • They will compete for the unified Super Middleweight championship on Sept. 13

LONDON: Saul “Canelo” Alvarez will face off against Terence Crawford on Sept. 13 in Las Vegas, Turki Alalshikh, chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority and president of the Saudi Boxing Federation, and Dana White, CEO of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, have announced.

The highly anticipated fight between two of boxing’s biggest generational athletes will be streamed on Netflix for more than 300 million subscribers on the platform.

White, Alashikh and Saudi events firm Sela will collaborate to promote the event, which is part of Riyadh Season.

The showdown will be promoted through a promotional tour with stops in Riyadh on June 20, New York City on June 22 and Las Vegas on June 27.

The venue for the fight in Las Vegas, scheduled for September, will be announced at a later date. The boxers will compete for the unified Super Middleweight championship.

Alalshikh said on Tuesday: “Canelo and Crawford, two legends of boxing, will finally compete against each other in the fight of the century.”

Dana White described the anticipated fight in Las Vegas as historic. He added: “Turki wants to make the biggest fights that the fans want to see in boxing and this is right up my alley ... it’s literally a once in a lifetime fight.”

Mexican star Canelo is ready to prove he is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world. “I’m super happy to be making history again and this time on a Riyadh Season card that will be broadcast on Netflix,” he said.

Crawford, the undefeated American superstar, is confident that his record speaks for itself. “I am the best fighter in the world and no matter the opponent or weight class, I have always come out on top,” he said.

“On Sept. 13, my hand will be raised once again as the world watches greatness,” Crawford told fans.


Baseball United and Tokyo Broadcasting System launch reality show to find Japan’s next baseball stars

Updated 10 June 2025
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Baseball United and Tokyo Broadcasting System launch reality show to find Japan’s next baseball stars

  • The national competition, ‘Tryout: Plan D,’ will give hopeful players a chance to compete professionally in the Dubai league

DUBAI: A partnership between Baseball United, the first professional baseball league focused on the Middle East and South Asia, and leading Japanese broadcaster Tokyo Broadcast System will give young baseball players a shot at becoming professional stars.

The reality show, “Tryout: Plan D,” will feature hundreds of hopefuls competing for two roster spots on the Mid East Falcons, one of Baseball United’s founding franchises. The winners will play for the Falcons during the inaugural season in Dubai, which begins on Nov. 14.

Participants will compete in several stages of the competition, starting in July and ending in November. Ultimately, one pitcher and one batter will be selected after a series of intense challenges measuring skill, mental toughness, physical fitness and passion for the game.

The partnership will be anchored by TBS’s long running and widely respected show, バース・デイ(“Birthday”), a documentary series that has chronicled the triumphs and struggles of athletes across Japan for the last 20 years.

Airing on Friday nights, it explores its subjects’ personal transformations and emotional journeys. “Tryout” will bring to life a compelling mix of reality television, human interest and competitive action, while providing real opportunities for Japanese baseball prospects.

“Japan is one of the greatest baseball nations in the world,” said Kash Shaikh, chairman, CEO and co-founder of Baseball United.

“Baseball is engrained into the culture, history and future of this country. And we know there are a lot of talented players that just need an opportunity to showcase their ability. ‘Tryout’ is more than just a competition — it’s a celebration of culture, a catalyst of opportunity and a testament (to) resilience. We are honored to collaborate with TBS and the legendary ‘Birthday’ team to bring this vision to life.”

Tryout will begin airing on TBS in July, with behind-the-scenes content and exclusive footage shared across Baseball United’s global channels. The two winners will be officially introduced as members of the Mid East Falcons before the team’s game against the Karachi Monarchs on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

“Our program バース・デイ has always sought to showcase the untold stories behind athletic greatness,” said show producer Hidemitsu Takahashi.

“Partnering with Baseball United allows us to elevate that mission by offering young Japanese players the opportunity of a lifetime — to transform their lives through sport, and to do so on a truly international platform. We can’t wait to have our two winners take the field in Dubai.”

Baseball United was co-founded by Shaikh, John Miedreich, and MLB Hall of Famers Barry Larkin and Mariano Rivera in November 2022. Its ownership group now includes 20 MLB legends, including Hall of Famer Adrian Beltre and stars Felix Hernandez, Ryan Howard, Albert Pujols, Ronald Acuna Jr., Robinson Chirinos, and Matt Barnes. The league currently has four franchises, the Mumbai Cobras, Karachi Monarchs, Arabia Wolves and Mid East Falcons, who will all compete in the league’s first season from Nov. 14-Dec. 14. All games will be played at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai.


SHE RUNS 2025: UAE’s largest women’s fitness event set for return

Updated 10 June 2025
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SHE RUNS 2025: UAE’s largest women’s fitness event set for return

  • Previously known as the Women’s Run, it will take place at Expo City on Nov. 2

DUBAI: The UAE’s most iconic women’s fitness event is making a comeback under a new identity titled SHE RUNS.

Reimagined to reflect the spirit of a new generation, the event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025, at Expo City Dubai, celebrating inclusion, strength, and the collective power of women.

Formerly known as the Women’s Run, this 12th edition marks more than a name change, it signals a transformative movement toward wellbeing, leadership, and community connection, according to the organizers.

Participants of all ages and fitness levels — whether running, jogging or walking — can join across multiple race categories, including 1 km, 3 km, 5 km and 10km.

Dedicated tracks for young girls, Emirati women, and People of Determination reflect the event’s commitment to diversity and intergenerational participation.

“In embracing inclusivity, SHE RUNS does not just count miles, it counts moments. Each step is a testament to the power of community driving change,” said Dr. Harmeek Singh, founder and CEO of Plan b Group, the event’s organizing partner.

This year’s edition runs under the banner “For Voices. For Connection. For Change.” This is in alignment with the UAE’s Year of the Community.

Backed by the Dubai Sports Council and integrated into the Dubai Fitness Challenge 30x30, SHE RUNS is also a strategic partner of the Dubai Active Show, further anchoring its role as a national movement in health and wellness.

“SHE RUNS reflects the very essence of what the Dubai Fitness Challenge is about; empowering individuals through movement and bringing communities together in the spirit of wellbeing,” said a spokesperson from the Dubai Sports Council.

Also returning for 2025 is the high-energy SHE RUNS Power Hour, a pre-race activation featuring motivational talks, dynamic group warmups, and outreach programs for schools, universities and corporate teams.


Madrid to host grand prix as Formula One announces 2026 calendar

Updated 10 June 2025
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Madrid to host grand prix as Formula One announces 2026 calendar

  • Spain will host two Formula One grands prix in 2026, with the new race in Madrid joining Barcelona, after organizers on Tuesday announced the calendar for a season

HONG KONG: Spain will host two Formula One grands prix in 2026, with the new race in Madrid joining Barcelona, after organizers on Tuesday announced the calendar for a season that could bring big changes on the grid.
The 2026 campaign will open for the second successive season in Australia at Melbourne’s Albert Park street circuit on March 6-8.
The race in the Spanish capital Madrid is on September 11-13 and will bring the curtain down on the European segment of the season.
The new Madrid circuit will have both street and non-street sectors.
The 24-weekend campaign will again conclude in Abu Dhabi, on December 4-6.
Montreal in Canada will now follow Miami in May to cut down on traveling for the teams.
The 2026 season promises to look radically different with Cadillac becoming the 11th team on the grid and sweeping new regulations on aerodynamics and power units.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, president of motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, said: “Next year’s FIA Formula One World Championship marks a significant new chapter for our sport.
“A new race, new teams, and the arrival of new manufacturers, all ushering in a fresh era of innovation and competition.”

Formula One 2026 calendar:
March 6-8: Melbourne, Australia
March 13-15: Shanghai, China
March 27-29: Suzuka, Japan
April 10-12: Sakhir, Bahrain
April 17-19: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
May 1-3: Miami, United States
May 22-24: Montreal, Canada
June 5-7: Monaco
June 12-14: Barcelona, Spain
June 26-28: Spielberg, Austria
July 3-5: Silverstone, Great Britain
July 17-19: Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
July 24-26: Budapest, Hungary
August 21-23: Zandvoort, Netherlands
Sept 4-6: Monza, Italy
Sept 11-13: Madrid, Spain
Sept 25-27: Baku, Azerbaijan
Oct 9-11 Singapore
Oct 23-25 Austin, United States
Oct 30-Nov 1: Mexico City, Mexico
Nov 6-8 Sao Paulo, Brazil
Nov 19-21 Las Vegas, United States
Nov 27-29 Lusail, Qatar
Dec 4-6: Abu Dhabi, UAE