IPL 2022 is down to the last four games – the playoffs and there could also be a new winner this time. Of the four teams to have made it into the playoffs, only Rajasthan Royals have won the title once, and that was in the inaugural year. Gujarat Titans and Lucknow Super Giants are in their first year in the tournament while Royal Challengers Bangalore are yet to win the title.
While all the teams are doing their best to put on a show in the final week of a riveting tournament, the chances of rain in the first couple of games at this stage has forced everyone to take a look at the rule book.
Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator, both of which will be played in Kolkata at the iconic Eden Gardens has a rain threat and all four teams will be watchful of the same. In the first game, Gujarat Titans take on Rajasthan Royals and in the second Lucknow play RCB.
Playing Conditions In Case of Rain Interruptions
If there is a situation of rain, firstly each of the four games in the final phase of the tournament has 120 minutes extra and a game can start without any overs being deducted at 940pm.
In the playoffs, if the overs are reduced, the lowest number of overs it can come down to is 5 overs a side and that can start latest by 1156pm.
The Eliminators and the Qualifier do not have a reserve day unlike the final, and in a situation where even the 5 overs a side can’t be played out, the game will be decided by a Super Over and it would need to start latest by 1250 am.
If the Eliminators and Qualifiers cannot be decided by a Super Over, then the team that finished highest in the league table after the regular season shall be declared the winner of the relevant playoff match or final.
For the two Qualifiers and the Eliminator, which do not have reserve days, if one innings is complete but no play is possible in the second, the DLS method will be applied to determine the match result.
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)