Rohit Sharma looked visibly frustrated long before Mumbai Indians began their 241-run pursuit of Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Wankhede Stadium in an IPL 2026 game on Sunday. The former Mumbai skipper was seen getting irritated as BCCI match officials put his bat through a “gauge test”, and he attempted to argue that there was nothing wrong with the equipment. Tilak Varma also stepped in during the discussion. After prolonged checks, the bat was cleared, and Tilak later suggested the official might have been using the gauge in the wrong manner.
Key takeaways
- Rohit Sharma appeared upset during a “bat gauge test” conducted by BCCI officials at the Wankhede Stadium before Mumbai’s chase.
- Tilak Varma joined the conversation while the bat was being examined, and later pointed out the gauge could have been held incorrectly.
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted 240/4, powered by half-centuries from Phil Salt (78) and Rajat Patidar (53).
- Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222/5 after Rohit retired hurt with a hamstring issue, falling short by 18 runs.
- RCB won their third match in four outings and moved to six points, landing third in the table behind Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings.
What the IPL bat gauge test is—and why it matters
In a shift from the usual procedure, on-field umpires began carrying out random checks on the dimensions of bats during IPL matches from 2025 onwards. The objective was to reduce the chance of players gaining an unfair edge. While verifying bat measurements is an established part of the game, the process had typically been completed within the dressing room up until the 2024 season.
The BCCI, aiming to remain extra alert during an era of increasingly brutal power-hitting, has permitted match officials to examine any approved piece of willow if they feel it is necessary—even while play is underway.
Bat specifications and the match details from Wankhede
Under the defined measurements, the bat face width is not allowed to exceed 4.25 inches (10.79 cm). The thickness at the middle section (the bulged area) must stay at or below 2.64 inches (6.7 cm). The maximum edge width is limited to 1.56 inch (4 cm), while the bat height cannot be more than 38 inches (96.4 cm), measured from the top of the handle to the base.
Turning to the contest itself, Phil Salt and Rajat Patidar played aggressive innings to set the tone for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Their half-century stands featured a steady stream of sixes, and Virat Kohli supported with a controlled 50 as RCB reached 240/4 in their 20 overs. Strong restricting bowling then ensured Mumbai never got close enough to the required run rate.
Mumbai’s attempt to chase a record-high target at Wankhede suffered a major blow when Rohit Sharma picked up a hamstring injury and had to retire hurt after scoring 19 from 13 deliveries. Sherfane Rutherford kept Mumbai’s hopes alive late in the innings with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls, striking nine sixes in the closing phase. Earlier, Hardik Pandya (40) and Ryan Rickelton (37) had given the chase a lift, but the momentum faded and Mumbai ended on 222/5, losing by 18 runs. It was also Mumbai’s third consecutive defeat.
For RCB, the win marked their third triumph in four matches. They climbed to six points and the third spot on the points table, positioned behind Rajasthan Royals on eight points and Punjab Kings on seven.
