Explained: What will happen if it rains on reserve day of IPL 2023 final between CSK vs GT

Rain led to the CSK v GT IPL 2023 final to be postponed to the reserve day on Monday, May 29

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2023) final between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans was shifted to the reserve day on Monday after rain forced play to be abandoned on Sunday. Not a single delivery was bowled due to heavy downpours and the organizers decided that the ground condition was not conducive for the match.

While everyone was checking and waiting for the toss, Ahmedabad weather had other plans, and one of them was not a cricket match. The formal decision was taken at about 11 p.m. (IST) because the ground appeared unfit for a cricket match.

The rain started at 6 p.m. (IST) in Ahmedabad and halted for a few minutes around 9 p.m. (IST) when the players walked around the middle to examine the situation. The game, however, was canceled due to the return of the continuous rain.

Now the question arises whether there will be a full game possible on Monday and the good news is the possibility is bright but the bad news is there’s a slight chance of rain today as well.

The match could face a delayed start in the event of rains lashing the ground again. So, if the rain forces the match to not start on time i.e., 7:30 pm (IST), no overs will be lost till it gets underway by 9:35 pm local time. Post that deadline, there will be a reduction in overs and the number depends on how late it begins. 

Here are a few scenarios on what happens if it rains on the reserve day of IPL 2023 between CSK vs GT

While the main focus of the organizers will be to have a full 40-over game, rain delay can result in a late start to proceedings or the match being decided in super over.

In case of a rain delay, the match will start losing overs from 9:36 pm. From that time onwards, the match will keep getting shorter with the cut-off time for a five-over match being 12:06 am (Tuesday).

In the event of another weather delay, the tournament will be decided by a Super Over.

"For the Final, if it is not possible to schedule a 5-over match to be completed by the end of extra time on the reserve day, the teams will, if conditions permit, play a Super Over to determine the winner of the final," the rules stated.

Now what if, even the 5-overs per side game is not possible due to rains affecting the playing conditions? And even the Super over is not possible to be played and the final has to be abandoned.

Then Gujarat Titans will be crowned the winners of the IPL 2023 as they had the advantage of finishing at the top of the IPL 2023 points table with 10 wins and 20 points to their name. Chennai Super Kings had finished second with 17 points from 14 games.

The rules state- "In the event that it is not possible to start the Super Over or to then complete the Super Over without interruption, 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 playoff match or final."