Gujarat Titans all-rounder Rahul Tewatia found himself at the centre of an unusual mid-innings moment during the IPL 2026 clash, after being stopped by on-field umpires over a bat regulation issue. The incident occurred in the penultimate over of the innings, shortly after Tewatia walked in following the dismissal of Washington Sundar.
Before he could take strike, play was briefly halted as the umpires conducted a routine bat gauge check—now a standard procedure in the IPL. Tewatia’s bat failed to meet the required specifications, prompting officials to ask him to switch to a compliant bat before continuing. The moment quickly gained traction online after broadcasters shared the clip, sparking conversations among fans.
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The use of bat gauges was formally introduced in the IPL in 2025 to ensure fair play and maintain balance between bat and ball. The regulation aligns with guidelines set by the Marylebone Cricket Club, which strictly define bat dimensions, including limits on edge thickness, width, and overall depth.
Unexpected twist right in the middle of the game 👀
The umpires step in and stop Rahul Tewatia as his bat doesn’t meet the regulations! 😮#TATAIPL 2026 | #PBKSvGT | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/8O2J6XJtcm pic.twitter.com/txanPzNCPk
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 31, 2026
Despite the brief interruption, Tewatia composed himself to remain unbeaten on 11 off 10 deliveries, helping Gujarat Titans post a competitive total of 162/6. Punjab Kings, however, responded strongly in the chase. Vijaykumar Vyshak impressed with the ball earlier, claiming 3/34, but it wasn’t enough to stop the opposition momentum.
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Punjab eventually chased down the 163-run target with five balls to spare, overcoming a brief wobble against disciplined bowling to seal a confident win in a closely contested encounter.
