IPL 2022, Qualifier 1-GT vs RR: what happens if rain ruins the play-off?

One thing that annoys players and viewers in such extravagant tournaments is the game halting due to rain. While there were no such disruptions in the league stage due to inclement weather, the rain can play a spoilsport in the play-offs.

Kolkata's Eden Garden is the chosen venue for play-offs, which have already been damaged by heavy rain over the weekend. The rain threat is still looming over the large part of play-off matches to spoil it further. What will happen if such a condition arises in play-offs or even finals? Here is the set of new rules devised by BCCI for such situations:

Super Over and DLS method: A decider if rain plays spoilsport

BCCI has allowed two extra hours over the stipulated 200 minutes of match time for the remaining matches. T implies that the first three games can start as late as 9:40 PM, whereas finals can begin as late as 10:10 PM without any overs being reduced. If the play-offs are interrupted or even if it is a washout, then Super Over will decide the winner of all the four contests- Qualifier 1, Eliminator, Qualifier 2 and the Finals. And if still a game of Super Over is not possible, league stage hard work will show off for the teams as it will come into account to decide the qualifier or winner. In the case of the two Qualifiers and the Eliminator, the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method will play if one innings is complete, but no space is possible in the second.

"For the Eliminator and each Qualifier play-off matches, in the event that it is not possible to schedule a five-over match to complete by the end of the extra time on an original day, the teams will, if conditions permit, play a Super Over to determine the winner of the relevant Eliminator or Qualifier match." If the Super Over is not possible "the team that finished highest in the league table after the 70 matches of the regular season shall be declared the winner of the relevant play-off match or final," read IPL guidelines.

A reserve day for Finals

Apart from this rule, 30th May has been kept as a reserve day. Even if one ball is bowled on 29th May, but the match could not be finished due to rain on an original day, the game would be wrapped on the reserve day. If the final is interrupted by rain or crosses the added 200 minutes, the Super Over would start at 1:20 AM.

What might be in store for Qualifier 1 (GT vs RR)?

Weather reports show thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon and at night. There are 48% chances of rain during the day and 56% at night. Hence, there is a high probability that the match gets affected due to rainfall. Let's see what is in store for tonight- a reduced over the match, the first Super Over of this season, or Gujarat getting direct tickets owing to their astonishing performance in the league stage. A scoring pitch of Eden with scope for spinners to trick the batters will be interesting to watch.