IPL 2025: Daniel Vettori, Sunrisers coach, shrugs off bat inspection rule as minor

Sunrisers Hyderabad head coach Daniel Vettori had a cheeky take on the much-talked-about IPL 2025 bat size checks, saying he wishes such regulations existed when he was playing. Speaking to the media ahead of SRH’s clash against Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede, Vettori made it clear he doesn’t believe these new checks change much on the field.

Minimal disruption from bat gauges

This season, IPL umpires have begun inspecting bats with a gauge to ensure they conform to size limits. The aim? To stop the use of oversized willows, like in the recent case of KKR’s Anrich Nortje, who had to swap out his bat mid-game. But Vettori isn’t too bothered.

‘I don’t think it makes any difference,’ he said. ‘The guys are tested regularly. Umpires even check bats in the dressing room. It’s quick, easy, and doesn’t disrupt the game.’

He added, ‘It might reset anyone trying to push the limits, but it’s not hard to get your bat through the gauge.’

Daniel Vettori (Credit: X)

No buzz among SRH batters

Vettori revealed that the topic hasn’t sparked much discussion among his batters and dismissed the idea of smaller bats becoming the norm.?‘The way bats have evolved – bigger but not heavier – is down to smart bat makers and batter demands,’ he noted. ‘Everyone loves sixes and fours. I doubt we’ll see a size reduction anytime soon.’

As for the MI match, Vettori said SRH will lean on Ishan Kishan’s inside knowledge of his former franchise and home ground.?‘He knows the surface, the dew factor, and the MI mindset. It would be silly not to use that insight,’ Vettori said.

All eyes on Head-Sharma pair but team is cautious

He admitted that while Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma are vital, teams have done their homework on the pair.

‘Oppositions have analysed their false shots, which led to some quick wickets. There’s a bit of luck, good scouting, and smart planning involved,’ Vettori said.?

MI wins the toss, opt to bowl

At the toss, MI skipper Hardik Pandya chose to chase, citing the classic Wankhede dew factor. Both teams remain unchanged after wins in their last outings.