Cricket lovers might see some modifications to the technology of the IPL in 2025, as reported by ESPNcricinfo recently; wides outside off stump and over the batter’s head would be reviewed using Hawk-Eye technology. The IPL governing body gave the go-ahead on Thursday and informed all 10 captains of the decision at a meet-up in Mumbai the day before the beginning of the 2025 season.
The technology used to evaluate over-the-waist no-balls in the IPL 2024 is being introduced to measure over-the-head wides. Hawk-Eye’s ball-tracking device will track the height of the ball as it passes the batter at the popping crease and will then compare the measurement to the batter’s recorded height from toe to head standing upright. If the height of the ball exceeds the measured height of the batter’s head, it would be considered wide.
Each player’s head height will be stored in a database, and there will be no subjective decision-making, with an automated system performing the measurement. There will also be an end to the subjective component involved in determining wides this season, as the IPL has decided the wide rule, which is typically blue, will move with the batter. For instance, if a right-handed batter strides one foot to the right of the stump, the wide line will move the same distance and will be used to determine a wide.
The technology, Hawk-Eye, can determine where the batter and the wide line have moved automatically. The TV umpire will be able to see the movement on his screen and determine if the ball traveled within the responsively wide line or not. The measurements will not be seen as TV graphics on the screen and will only be visible to the TV umpire. The return crease will not be moved; the return crease line will remain white. Furthermore, the new system will not be used for assessing wides on the leg side.
In recent years, the IPL has been at the forefront of utilizing technology in decision-making. Last year, the IPL became the first league to use ball-tracking technology for over-the-waist no-balls. The Smart Replay System, first introduced in IPL 2024, will once again be used this season to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of decisions.
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