How computer vision in IPL 2025 is enabling smarter cricket

The IPL (Indian Premier League) is more than just a cricket tournament. It’s a global event that blends sports, entertainment, and cutting-edge technology. Now in its 18th edition, IPL 2025 continues to push the boundaries of the sport, not only on the field but also through the integration of advanced technologies that are changing how the game is played, watched, and analyzed.

Today’s cricket teams rely on data more than ever to shape their strategies. Beyond instinct and experience, they leverage real-time insights powered by artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision to gain a competitive edge.

For instance, computer vision models, like Ultralytics YOLO11, can help analyze live-match footage one frame at a time. They can detect and track objects on the field, like the ball’s path, where a bowler’s foot lands, or how close a fielder is to the boundary line during a catch. 

Insights enabled by computer vision give coaches, match analysts, and players impactful tools to study every part of the game, from making smart decisions to injury prevention. In this article, we’ll dive into the latest tech innovations introduced in IPL 2025 and explore how they’re reshaping the game.

The role of computer vision in IPL 2025

Before we explore how AI and computer vision are being used at IPL 2025, let’s take a look at what these technologies mean in sports.

AI is a field of computer science that helps machines think like humans, and it’s used in many applications across different industries. Particularly in sports, it’s used for use cases such as predicting match results, analyzing player performances, and planning game strategies. 

Computer vision is a branch of AI that helps machines see and understand visual data. Computer vision models are algorithms trained to interpret such visual data, allowing machines to detect objects, estimate the poses of players, recognize patterns, and make decisions based on what they see. 

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These vision models are crucial for tasks like ball-tracking systems, tracking player movements, and generating real-time on-screen graphics. With so many variables in the fast-paced IPL, like pitch conditions, player form, and weather, AI helps teams make better decisions and makes the game more exciting for fans.

A look at how IPL uses computer vision and AI

From assisting umpires with accurate decisions to enhancing sports broadcasts, AI and computer vision are being used in exciting new ways in IPL 2025. Let’s walk through a few examples to see how they’re making an impact.

Cricket analytics using computer vision and AI innovations

AI and Internet of Things (IoT) devices, interconnected physical tools that collect and share data, are helping cricket players train, prepare, and play. High-speed cameras, sensors, and AI tracking systems are used to analyze player movements. 

These solutions can even pick up details like how a batter stands, how a bowler releases the ball, and how fielders move. Collected data points are used to generate insights using visualizations like heat maps, performance summaries, and predictive models. Coaches can use these results to make real-time tactical decisions and fine-tune player’s techniques.

For example, The Rajasthan Royals (RR), the inaugural IPL champion team, uses Str8bat, which is an IoT and AI bat sensor. It can track key metrics like bat speed, sweet spot accuracy, and back-lift angle in real time. The data, sent wirelessly to a smartphone app, is analyzed by AI models to generate insights and hitting scores, helping players and coaches refine techniques and match strategies.

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Smart security systems at cricket stadiums

Cricket stadiums are quickly turning into smart, tech-powered spaces thanks to AI and computer vision. With the help of CCTV cameras and sensors, these technologies improve safety, streamline operations, and give fans a better experience. 

One interesting example is facial recognition, which speeds up ticket checks and enhances security by identifying VIPs or alerting staff to potential threats. AI also helps monitor crowd movement throughout the stadium. 

Specifically, at the HPCA Stadium (Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium) in India, AI and computer vision are being used for advanced security and stadium management. The system includes facial recognition to detect unauthorized individuals, people-counting technology to track crowd size, and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) to manage vehicle access. When a potential issue is flagged, the system instantly alerts security staff to respond.

Umpiring and real-time player tracking with AI

AI and computer vision play an important role in helping umpires make accurate decisions during cricket matches. Tools like Hawk-Eye have significantly improved the decision-making process, especially for complex calls such as Leg Before Wicket (LBW), where the ball hits the batter’s leg instead of the bat and would have gone on to hit the stumps; waist-high no-balls, which are illegal deliveries that pass above the batter’s waist without bouncing; and wide deliveries, which are bowled too far from the batter to reasonably hit. 

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These systems act as a third umpire, helping reduce human error in fast-paced game situations. Hawk-Eye uses a network of high-speed cameras positioned around the stadium to capture the movement of the ball in real-time. 

This visual data is analyzed by computer vision software to create a three-dimensional path of the ball. By analyzing its speed, bounce, and direction, the system helps determine whether a delivery meets the rules, such as whether it passed above the waist or landed too wide.

During a key moment in an IPL 2025 between Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings, a batter from Gujarat Titans questioned whether a delivery was a no-ball. The Hawk-Eye system showed that the ball passed just one centimeter below the batter’s waist, a detail that is almost impossible to detect without the help of technology. 

Champak: IPL’s AI robot dog

This year’s IPL also used AI in new ways to boost fan engagement. One unique example was an AI-powered robot dog that appeared during toss ceremonies and interacted with players before matches. Fans even got to name the robot “Champak” through an online poll, making it a fun and memorable part of the tournament.

Champak can move on its own using AI or be controlled manually. It has sensors like LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) to help it understand its surroundings and avoid obstacles. With cameras mounted on it, Champak captures video from a dog-eye view, giving fans a fresh perspective of the game. It adds a new layer of interaction, showing how AI can turn even a robot into a fan favorite.

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Pros and cons of using AI in cricket

AI is changing the game in cricket by giving teams smarter ways to make decisions, boost player performance, and discover emerging talent. Here are some of the key ways AI is bringing value to the sport:

• Personalized training: AI models can help design training sessions tailored to each player’s specific needs, focusing on their weaknesses, fitness levels, and match-day workload - while also minimizing the risk of overtraining.
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• Strategy planning: AI systems can analyze real-time factors like dew point, wind speed, and humidity to support smarter decisions, such as choosing to bat first or selecting the right time to bring in spinners.
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• Injury prevention: By monitoring biometric data and tracking workload patterns, AI can identify early signs of fatigue or strain, allowing coaches to rotate players and prevent long-term injuries.

While AI offers various advantages in cricket, it also comes with certain risks and limitations. Some key concerns include:

• Transparency and accountability: AI decisions, especially in umpiring or team selection, can lack transparency. If an AI model makes a questionable call, it’s often unclear who is accountable.
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• Bias in data: AI models depend on high-quality, diverse training data. If models are trained primarily on high-scoring or specific match conditions, they may misrepresent defensive strategies or underperforming players.
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• Ethical concerns: Using AI to track player performance and scout young talent raises questions about consent, data privacy, and how that data might be used or shared.

The final over: AI's winning delivery

AI and computer vision are taking center stage in IPL 2025, reshaping how cricket is played, understood, and enjoyed. From real-time player tracking to smarter decision-making and immersive visuals, AI and computer vision are becoming central to the sport. 

They’re not only helping teams gain a competitive edge but also giving fans new ways to connect with the game. As the technology continues to evolve, future tournaments will likely feature even more advanced systems that deliver deeper insights and more engaging experiences, both in the stadium and at home.

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