CHRIS DHAMBARAGE
COLOMBO – Heavy rain pushed the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 final between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) into the reserve day at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
This final between GT and CSK will now be played on Monday at the same venue commencing at 7.30 p.m. weather permitting.
It began drizzling just about half an hour before the toss time and the ground staff was quick to cover the centre with two separate layers of sheets, along with covering the areas of run-ups for the fast bowlers.
But the intensity of the downpour picked up heavily, along with thunder and lightning soon, and the fans who had filled up the stands in large numbers were forced to look for cover and retreat into the stands.
Huge puddles of water were also seen adjacent to the centre strip which remained uncovered.
As per the rules, if the IPL final is affected by rains or washed out on the day of the match, the game can be played on the next day which is treated as a reserve day.
But if the reserved day is also affected by weather conditions or is washed out, the team which ends in the first position after the league round wins the title.
The defending champions GT had topped the points table after the 70-match league round, finishing as the only team to have won 10 out of 14 matches and 20 points. CSK finished second with 17 points.
On Monday, the same playing conditions as on the original day will apply. In case there is a weather disruption again, the final can start as late as 9.35 p.m. without any reduction in the number of overs. A five-overs-a-side contest can begin at 12.06 a.m. (Tuesday).
According to the IPL’s Match Playing Conditions Briefing Note, in the eventuality of there being no chance of holding even a five-overs-a-side match, the destination of the trophy can be decided via a Super Over, conditions permitting.
If there is no play, GT will be declared champion by virtue of having finished ahead of CSK in the league table.
