The Indian Premier League (IPL) will introduce HawkEye ball-tracking technology to assist in judging wide balls from the 2025 season, marking another significant step in enhancing umpiring accuracy. The decision was finalized at the captains’ meeting in Mumbai ahead of the tournament’s opening match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday in Kolkata.
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HawkEye to Track Height Wides and Off-Stump Wides
“HawkEye and ball-tracking will be used to decide on height wides and wides outside the off-stump,” an IPL official informed PTI.
HawkEye, already used for LBW calls, was introduced last year to track waist-high no-balls. The system measured waist heights for all participating players and combined this data with ball-tracking to determine whether a ball would have passed over the waist had the batter not hit it.
With no-balls and wides falling under the Decision Review System (DRS) last season, players were allowed to challenge these decisions. While ball-tracking improved no-ball accuracy, wide-ball calls still relied on third-umpire judgment, which led to controversial decisions.
Addressing Wides Through Technology
Previously, when a wide ball review was taken, third umpires had to manually analyze the batter’s movement and the distance between the ball and the tram line using slow-motion replays. This process slowed the game and still left room for contentious calls.
Expert Opinions on Wide Ball Reviews
Despite the technological upgrades, some cricketing legends, like Sunil Gavaskar, have questioned the need for wide and bouncer referrals.
“The referrals for wides and bouncers should be done away with because they upset the rhythm and flow of the game. It is never going to have an impact on the game like a wrong decision for out or not out can. So, its removal is a must,” Gavaskar wrote in Sportstar.
What This Means for IPL 2025
With HawkEye technology now tracking wides, umpires will have greater accuracy and reduced delays when making decisions. As the 18th season of IPL unfolds, this rule change aims to minimize errors and streamline gameplay for a smoother and more technologically advanced T20 experience.
