The toss for the Indian Premier League final between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings got delayed due to a heavy downpour in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
It began drizzling just about half an hour before the toss time and the ground staff was quick to cover the centre with two separate layers of sheets, along with covering the areas of run-ups for fast bowlers.
But the intensity of the downpour picked up heavily, along with thunder and lightning soon, and the fans who had filled up the stands in large numbers, were forced to look for cover and retreat into the stands.
Huge puddles of water were also seen adjacent to the centre strip which remained uncovered.
What happens if final is washed out?
As per IPL rules, if the IPL final is affected by rains or washed out on the day of the match, the game can be played on the next day which is treated as a reserve day.
According to a brief note published on the IPL website regarding 'Weather or other conditions interfering playoff matches', it said, “The number of overs in the playoff match may, if necessary, be reduced so that each side has the opportunity to bat for 5 overs. The latest that a five-overs-per-side match can start is 11.56pm, with a scheduled finish of 12.50pm. The cut-off time for the Final will be 12.26am for 5 overs per side game.” Additionally, no overs would be lost if the game starts by 9.40pm.
But if the reserved day is also affected by weather conditions or is washed out, the team which ends at the first position after the league round wins the title.
The defending champions Gujarat Titans had topped the points table after the 70-match league round, finishing as the only team to have won 10 out of 14 matches and 20 points. Chennai Super Kings had finished second with 17 points.
(With PTI inputs.)
