Clouds looming over Qualifier 1: What happens if the match washes out?
Eden Gardens (Image Source: BCCI/IPL)
The Indian T20 League 2022 has reached its business end. The playoff stages are ready to take off with the Qualifier 1 match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, today on the 24th of May, 2022. But as per the weather forecasts rain might play a spoilsport in the match.
It has been raining heavily along with thunderstorms for the last few days in the city. The weather department has said that there are chances of rain in the next few days. This has put the future of the important clashes of Qualifier 1 and eliminator in doubt.
First, let us look at what will happen if the match is affected by rain or washed out. As per the guidelines of the BCCI, if the rain affects the game the match can start as late as 9:40 PM, without loss of any over. If it goes past that time The final cut-off time for at least a five-over match would be 11:56 PM for the match. But if the rain does not even allow that then the fate of the match will be decided by a super over and the latest it could start to be 12:50 PM.
But since morning, Kolkata is experiencing cloudy weather, and bursts of rain are taking place in the city as per the latest reports. If not, a single ball is bowled in the match, then the team positioned at a higher position in the points table will be declared the winner. In this case, it will be Gujarat, while Rajasthan will, unfortunately, will have to bow out of the tournament. This has raised concern among the supporters of the Rajasthan team.
#IPL2022 weather update: It's pouring in Kolkata right now! Not a good sign for the @gujarat_titans vs @rajasthanroyals playoff match at Eden Gardens tonight 😶
Hope the rain gods show mercy and we can have a game of cricket on our hands!@TheQuint pic.twitter.com/SjCgHctqQd
— Meghnad Bose (@MeghnadBose93) May 24, 2022
Fans have been keeping an eye on the weather of Kolkata from the morning and are hoping that rain stays away from the match. Notably, Rajasthan posted a video of rains in Kolkata on their official Twitter handle. But things are still gloomy at the venue, and it is expected that rain will affect the match at some stage even if the match is not washed out.
https://twitter.com/rajasthanroyals/status/1529017580723535873?s=20&t=K9kD0CmXkyxC3hHV9iDv9w
