ipl 2026 season has already begun to deliver the high-octane drama and technical intrigue that fans want. This Tuesday in an exciting match at Mullanpur Stadium, New Chandigarh. Punjab Kings (PBKS) achieved a thrilling victory by three wickets Gujarat Titans (GT). However, while the scoreboard told the story of PBKS’s resurgence, a rare technical intervention involving GT’s finisher Rahul Tewatia Made headlines highlighting BCCI’s strict new surveillance on equipment.
GT batsman Rahul Tewatia forced to change bat after failing to pass rim test
In a moment that halted the momentum of the GT innings, Tewatia was forced to change his bat mid-overs after failing to pass the official rim test. As Tewatiya prepared to take his stand, the on-field umpires intervened to measure the amplitude of his willow using the official BCCI gauge. This device, designed to ensure that the bat does not exceed the maximum permitted thickness and edge depth, will not fit Tewatia’s bat.
The gauge test, a pass/fail rim, was introduced to maintain proper balance between bat and ball by preventing the use of oversized monsters that dominate T20 cricket. Under MCC Law 5, which the IPL strictly enforces, the width of the bat must not exceed 10.8 cm, the depth on the edge cannot exceed 4 cm, and the overall depth must be within 6.7 cm. Tewatia looked clearly surprised but quickly complied and returned to the dugout to change his equipment. The delay added a layer of psychological pressure onto an already stressful GT middle-order collapse, serving as a reminder that in 2026, the margin for error is next to nil, even with a player in the woodwork.
Here is the video:
Unexpected twist right in the middle of the game 👀
The umpire came forward and stopped Rahul Tewatia because his bat was not in accordance with the rules! 😮#TATAIPL 2026 | #PBKSvGT | Live now 👉 https://t.co/8O2J6XJtcm pic.twitter.com/txanPzNCPk
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) 31 March 2026
Also read: Fans go wild as Cooper Connolly shows courage to lead PBKS past GT in IPL 2026 thriller
Cooper Connolly shines, Punjab Kings win thrilling match against GT
On the field of play, Gujarat Titans struggled to find any pace after being invited to bat. Despite the captain’s steady start Shubman Gill (27 of 39) and 38 calculated from jos buttlerPBKS’s bowling attack proved to be very disciplined. vijaykumar vaishya The evergreen performer was the standout performer demolishing the GT core with the 3/34 figure Yuzvendra Chahal Stopped the scoring rate with 2/28. GT eventually finished with a modest score of 162/6, on a pitch that was constantly bouncing, with the total looking 15–20 runs short.
Chasing the target was not easy for Punjab. GT Prasidh Krishna Bowled with intense pace and intent, claiming 3/29 and putting the PBKS top order in immediate trouble. However, that night was of youthful feeling cooper connolly. Showing maturity beyond his years, Connolly led the innings with a brilliant unbeaten 72 off 44 balls.
Navigating the Spin Danger Rashid Khan With surgical precision, Connolly found limits at critical turns to keep the required rate under control. With support from the lower order, PBKS crossed the finish line with five balls to spare and finished at 165/7. For Gill’s Titans, the defeat marks a disappointing start to the campaign, leaving them reflecting on both their middle-order faltering and the technical mishap that bedeviled their position for a while.
Also read: In Pictures: Meet Tanvi Shah, Gujarat Titans’ glam girl for IPL 2026
