Playoffs at Kolkata in doubt
Eden Gardens (Image Source: BCCI/IPL)
The 15th edition of the Indian T20 League 2022 has nearly reached its end. The playoffs of the tournament are due to begin tomorrow 24th May 2022. Although the last match of the group stage is yet to be played, the four teams that will be playing in the knockout stages have been decided.
Qualifier 1 of the season will be played between Rajasthan and Gujarat at Eden Gardens on Monday. The two teams have already landed in the city and are preparing for the all-important match. But the weather at Kolkata has not been favorable for cricket in the last few days.
It has been raining incessantly for the past few days along with thunderstorms. This has severely affected the preparations for Qualifier 1 at the ground. As per reports the heavy rains and thunderstorms have damaged the Eden Gardens’ property including the press box. Pictures of broken glasses on the floor of Eden Gardens’ press box are going viral on the Internet.
Uncertainty looming over playoff fixtures
The sudden change in weather has got a cloud of uncertainty looming over the knock-out fixtures to be played at the stadium. The BCCI and the Indian T20 League organizers are worried about the situation at present. The weather forecast also shows that there will be heavy rain and thunderstorm for the next few days.
This puts the future of Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator to be played at Kolkata in doubt. The matches are scheduled on May 24 and 25 and the situation at present has put the encounters under serious threat. Although there are rules in case a single delivery is not bowled but it will be problematic for the fans.
What happens if Matches get abandoned without a ball being bowled?
The rulebook states if not a single ball is bowled in the playoff match, then the team which finished higher in the points table will be declared the winner of that match. The rule, in this case, reads- “In the event that it is not possible to start the Super Over….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 play-off match or final.”
