IPL 2025 to Introduce Hawk-Eye for Wide Ball Decisions- All You Need To Know

IPL 2025: The Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to embrace advanced technology once again, with the introduction of Hawk-Eye to adjudicate wide balls in the 2025 season.

The decision was formally approved and communicated to all ten team captains during a meeting in Mumbai ahead of the season opener on March 22 between KKR and RCB as per a report by ESPNCricinfo.

This innovation follows the successful implementation of Hawk-Eye for determining over-the-waist no-balls in IPL 2024. The same technology will now be employed to monitor both wides outside the off-stump and deliveries passing over the batter's head.

Using ball-tracking capabilities, the system will measure the ball's height as it crosses the batter at the popping crease. The measurement will then be compared to the batter's recorded head height in an upright stance, stored in the system's database. If the delivery exceeds the head height, it will be automatically classified as a wide.

Additionally, the IPL has revised its approach to off-side wides. Traditionally, wide calls involved a level of subjectivity, especially when batters moved across the crease. However, starting this season, the wide guideline will shift in real-time, mirroring the batter's movement. For instance, if a batter moves one foot outside the off-stump, the wide guideline will adjust by the same margin. Hawk-Eye will track both the batter's position and the ball's trajectory, providing the third umpire with accurate data to make the final call.

It is important to note that the new system will not apply to leg-side wides. Furthermore, the adjustments and measurements will not be displayed on television broadcasts, remaining exclusive to the TV umpire's feed for accurate decision-making.

The IPL has consistently been a leader in integrating cutting-edge technology to enhance decision-making. In 2023, the league introduced the option for teams to challenge wide and no-ball calls using the Decision Review System (DRS), a feature that was first tested in the Women's Premier League (WPL). The following year, the use of ball-tracking technology for waist-high no-balls became another milestone.

The Smart Replay System, which was launched in IPL 2024 to ensure quicker and more accurate decisions, will continue this season. With these advancements, the IPL aims to further minimize human error and uphold the highest standards of officiating.

As the league continues to innovate, the use of Hawk-Eye for wide ball decisions marks yet another step towards maintaining fair play and ensuring the game is as precise and transparent as possible.