The Indian Premier League (IPL) continues to push technological boundaries by introducing Hawk-Eye technology to adjudicate wide deliveries outside the off-stump and over the batter’s head in the 2025 season. This decision was approved by the IPL governing body and communicated to all ten team captains during a meeting in Mumbai ahead of the season opener on March 22, 2025.
Over-the-Head Wides: Automated Precision
For the first time, over-the-head wides will be decided using Hawk-Eye’s ball-tracking system, the same technology that successfully monitored over-the-waist no-balls in IPL 2024.
Here’s how the system works:
- Ball Height Measurement: As the ball crosses the batter at the popping crease, Hawk-Eye will track its height.
- Pre-Recorded Head Height: Each player’s toe-to-head height in an upright position will be pre-recorded and stored in a database.
- Wide Decision: If the ball’s height exceeds the batter’s recorded head height, it will automatically be called a wide—eliminating human error and subjective judgment.
This automated process ensures consistency and accuracy by removing any room for interpretation by on-field officials.
Dynamic Wide Guidelines: Adapting to Batter Movement
A significant change in 2025 is the introduction of dynamic wide guidelines. Previously, the wide guideline (marked in blue) was fixed, but this season it will move in sync with the batter.
- If a batter shifts position—for instance, moving one foot outside off-stump—the wide guideline will shift by the same distance.
- Hawk-Eye will track both batter movement and the ball’s position in real time.
- The TV umpire will view the automated measurements and determine whether the delivery is within the revised guideline.
Important Note: This system applies only to off-side wides; leg-side wides will still be adjudicated using conventional methods. Additionally, the return crease (marked in white) remains fixed and unaffected by these changes.
IPL: A Pioneer in Cricket Technology
The IPL has consistently led innovation in cricket decision-making technology:
- 2023: After successful trials in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the IPL became the first T20 competition to allow teams to review wides and no-balls under the Decision Review System (DRS).
- 2024: The league introduced ball-tracking technology for over-the-waist no-balls and implemented the Smart Replay System to improve the accuracy and speed of decisions.
These advancements highlight the IPL’s commitment to minimizing human error and enhancing fair play through cutting-edge technology.
What to Expect in IPL 2025
Fans can anticipate faster, more accurate decisions as technology takes a greater role in adjudicating marginal calls. Although these new tools will not be visible on the broadcast, they will be crucial for ensuring fair and transparent outcomes.
With the integration of Hawk-Eye and dynamic wide guidelines, the IPL continues to set the benchmark for using technology to improve the game, ensuring a fairer playing field for all teams.
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