Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Cognixia podcast. We are back with another riveting episode today. Every week, we get together to explore fascinating topics at the intersection of technology and sports, uncovering the invisible innovations that enhance our viewing experience, revolutionize gameplay, and bring us closer to the action than ever before.
In today’s episode, we are diving deep into the incredible technology behind cricket measurements, how those lightning-fast ball speeds are calculated, how commentators instantly know the height and distance of those massive sixes, and the evolution of the tech that brings these stats to millions of viewers around the globe. So, let us begin, shall we?
First, let us talk about what is happening right now in the cricket world. The IPL 2025 season is in full swing, and what a tournament it has been so far! We have witnessed Jasprit Bumrah’s searing yorkers clocking over 150 km/h, Rishabh Pant’s monstrous sixes soaring beyond 100 meters, and young pacers consistently hitting speeds that would have been exceptional just a decade ago. But have you ever wondered how we know these numbers with such precision? How exactly does the broadcast tell us that a six traveled 108 meters or that a delivery was bowled at exactly 153.4 km/h?
Well, it was not always this sophisticated. The measurement of ball speed in cricket has a fascinating history that dates back further than you might think. The first rudimentary attempts to measure bowling speeds began in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Back then, the technology was primitive by today’s standards, which were essentially adapted from speed guns used by traffic police. These radar guns would be positioned behind the bowler’s arm and would measure the speed of the ball as it left the bowler’s hand.
The first widely publicized use of speed guns in international cricket came during the 1975 World Cup, though the readings were not broadcast as part of the viewing experience. It was not until the 1990s that speed measurements became a regular feature of cricket broadcasts, adding a new dimension to how fans appreciated fast bowling.
These early systems had significant limitations. They were often inconsistent, affected by weather conditions, and could not account for the ball’s trajectory after it left the bowler’s hand. They would sometimes give wildly varying readings for similar deliveries, leading to skepticism among players and fans alike.
The real game-changer came in the late 1990s and early 2000s with the development of more sophisticated tracking systems. The most notable was Hawk-Eye, developed by Dr. Paul Hawkins in the UK, which was initially created to track the trajectory of tennis balls but was quickly adapted for cricket. Hawk-Eye used multiple high-speed cameras positioned around the stadium to create a three-dimensional representation of the ball’s path.
This technology revolutionized not just speed measurements but also introduced a whole new world of data analysis to cricket. Suddenly, broadcasters could show viewers the exact line, length, swing, seam movement, and, of course, speed of every delivery with remarkable accuracy. It also led to the development of the Decision Review System (DRS), which has transformed how LBW decisions are made in international cricket.
Around the same time, another technology called Hot Spot was introduced, which used infrared cameras to detect the heat generated by friction when the ball hits the bat or pads. Though primarily used for edge detection in reviews, it contributed to the overall technological ecosystem that was making cricket more measurable and analyzable than ever before.
Fast forward to today, and the IPL 2025 features some of the most advanced measurement systems ever deployed in sports. The current ball tracking technology uses a combination of ultra-high-definition cameras (capturing over 340 frames per second), sophisticated AI algorithms, and powerful computing systems that can process this data in real time.
Modern speed guns are integrated into this ecosystem and are calibrated to account for environmental factors like wind speed and humidity, which can affect ball movement. They are accurate to within 0.1 km/h and can track the ball from the moment it leaves the bowler’s hand until it reaches the batsman.
But it is not just about speed. The technology used in modern cricket broadcasts can measure almost everything you can imagine. Let us talk about those massive sixes that have become such a highlight of T20 cricket.
When a batsman hits a six in the IPL, within seconds, viewers know exactly how far the ball traveled and how high it went. This is made possible through a combination of technologies. Primarily, the same multi-camera tracking systems that measure bowling speeds also track the trajectory of the ball after it has been hit. These systems can predict where the ball would have landed even if it is caught in the stands or hits the roof of the stadium.
To augment this, many modern cricket balls used in T20 leagues contain microchips that transmit data in real-time. These smart cricket balls can measure not just the distance and height of shots but also the rotation of the ball (both for bowlers’ spin and batsmen’s shots), the exact point of impact on the bat, and even the force with which the ball was struck. Pretty incredible, right?
Let us talk about some of the records that these measurement systems have helped document over the years. The fastest recorded delivery in international cricket was bowled by Pakistan’s Shoaib Akhtar, who hit a blistering 161.3 km/h (100.23 mph) against England in the 2003 World Cup. That record has stood for over two decades now, despite challenges from bowlers like Mitchell Starc, Shaun Tait, and Brett Lee, all of whom have crossed the 160 km/h barrier.
In Test cricket, the fastest delivery record belongs to Shoaib Akhtar as well, with a speed of 161.0 km/h against New Zealand in 2002. For T20 Internationals, Australia’s Shaun Tait holds the record with a 160.7 km/h delivery against Pakistan in 2010.
In the IPL specifically, the fastest delivery was clocked at 157.7 km/h, bowled by South African speedster Anrich Nortje for Delhi Capitals in the 2020 season. And in the ongoing IPL 2025, we have already seen several deliveries crossing the 155 km/h mark, suggesting that these records might soon be challenged.
As for six distances, the record for the longest six in international cricket is often debated, but one of the most famous was hit by Shahid Afridi against South Africa in 2013, measured at 158 meters. In the IPL, MS Dhoni holds several records for six distances, with his longest being measured at 121 meters. However, in this IPL 2025 season, we have already seen a few mammoth hits exceeding 110 meters.
Now, let us talk about what these numbers actually mean in practice. A cricket ball weighs around 160 grams. When delivered at speeds exceeding 150 km/h, it carries enormous kinetic energy—enough to cause serious injury if proper protective equipment is not worn. The impact force of a cricket ball bowled at 150 km/h is estimated to be over 8000 Newtons—equivalent to having an 800 kg weight dropped on you from a short height!
This is why the evolution of protective gear has gone hand-in-hand with the increasing pace of bowlers. Modern helmets, chest guards, and arm protectors are designed based on data collected from these measurement systems, ensuring they can withstand impacts from the fastest bowlers in the world.
The technologies measuring these metrics are not just impressive, they are transforming how the game is played, coached, and analyzed. Teams now have access to detailed data on every player’s performance, allowing for more targeted training and strategic planning. Bowlers can analyze exactly when and why their speeds drop during long spells. Batsmen can identify patterns in how they respond to different ball speeds and trajectories.
But perhaps the most impactful aspect is how these technologies enhance the viewing experience for fans. The way this information is conveyed to viewers around the world is a technological marvel. The data from all these measurement systems is processed by powerful computers at the venue, which then feed this information to broadcast graphics systems in real-time.
The broadcast director can choose which metrics to display on screen, and sophisticated graphics engines render these statistics in visually appealing ways—from simple speed readings to complex visual representations of ball trajectories, wagon wheels showing where a batsman’s runs have come from, and heat maps highlighting a bowler’s line and length patterns.
For global tournaments like the IPL, this data is transmitted via high-speed fiber optic networks to broadcast centers around the world, where it is integrated into local broadcasts. From there, it is transmitted to satellites and streaming servers, ultimately reaching billions of devices worldwide with minimal latency.
In the IPL 2025, we are seeing innovations in how this data is presented. Augmented reality graphics allow commentators to interact with virtual representations of ball trajectories in the studio. Some broadcasters are experimenting with allowing viewers to access different layers of statistical information on demand through interactive streaming platforms.
There are even talks of future broadcasts incorporating haptic feedback technology that would allow viewers to “feel” the impact of a fastball or a six through their devices. Imagine being able to sense the vibration of a 155 km/h Bumrah yorker on your smartphone or the power of a Hardik Pandya six through your tablet!
The measurement technologies in cricket have come an incredibly long way from those early radar guns of the 1970s. Today’s systems provide unprecedented insights into the game’s minutiae, enriching our understanding and appreciation of cricket’s finest details.
For aspiring cricketers, these technologies have opened new pathways for improvement. Young bowlers can track their progress as they work to increase their speeds. Batsmen can analyze their technique against different types of deliveries with greater precision than ever before. Coaches also have powerful tools to identify strengths and weaknesses that might have gone unnoticed in earlier eras.
With that, we come to the end of this week’s episode of the Cognixia podcast. We hope you enjoyed our deep dive into the fascinating world of cricket measurements and gained a new appreciation for the technology that brings those numbers to your screen. Next time you watch a match and see that speed reading flash up after a thunderbolt from Jasprit Bumrah or distance measurement after a massive six, you will know exactly how that information made its way to you.
We will return next week with another exciting episode of the Cognixia podcast. Until then, happy learning and enjoy the rest of the IPL 2025 season!
