NEWS
Follow UsThe Indian Premier League (IPL) is no stranger to rain. Only this year have as many as three games been affected by rain, with teams having had to split the points between them, but all three playoff fixtures have stayed clear of any rain impact.
But that could change if the weather in Chennai continues to be the same on May 26 (Sunday). The areas in and around Chepauk Stadium have been affected by rains on the eve of the finale.
After the customary pre-match joint press conference by skippers - Shreyas Iyer and Pat Cummins at 4:15 PM, KKR players decided to have a nets session. However, within 20 minutes, rain arrived in full force, curtailing the planned session before a section of players indulged in football in the rain.
What’s the weather looking like?
As per the weather forecast, there is not a lot of rain in the city per se, but the influence of cyclone Remal is building up in the Bay of Bengal, which has influenced the rainfall in the city on May 25 (Saturday).
However, there is no indication that that will affect Sunday's clash, with the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting rain to have a major impact from May 27 onwards.
So, what happens if it is washed out?
Like last year, the IPL final always has a reserve day, which only accounts for rainfall. If you remember, the 2023 IPL final between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans went on for two days, with CSK getting the better of GT on literally the third day from the start of the final.
To answer it simply: yes, there is a reserve day.
When does the reserve day get activated?
It only gets activated when no play can be on the original scheduled day (May 26). Last year, due to the incessant rainfall in Ahmedabad, no play could be possible on day one (May 28), with the toss only happening on the second day (May 29).
Similar protocols are in place if there’s rain on May 26 this year.
What’s the latest they can start play?
The latest play could start as late as 12 AM on day two, with a five-over contest between the two sides. But in an event where play can not start, for whatever reasons, it would be decided by *drumroll* the standings from the group stage.
So, who wins in that case?
If no play is possible, then KKR (20 points and NRR of +1.428), by virtue of having a superior advantage over SRH (17 points and NRR of +0.414), will be crowned champions.