We are into the business end of the IPL 2024, and the fate of three teams — Rajasthan Royals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Kolkata Knight Riders, hangs in balance. With the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator already done, what’s left are two crucial matches in this year’s IPL — Qualifier 2 and the final. KKR is already in the summit clash, and SRH and RR will fight it out in the former, in Chennai on the 24th.
So what are the chances of SRH and RR to go through to the final? Or even, what are the chances of KKR lifting their third IPL trophy? These questions are arising at the right time, in the minds of the fans, but much to the dismay of everyone, there is one big hurdle before we get to any sort of result for these two matches. And that is heavy rains.
As per the IMD, southern states including Tamil Nadu will experience heavy or very heavy rainfall in the next few days. That means, Chennai, the venue for the IPL Qualifier 2 and final, will also be disrupted. However, the IMD also confirmed that Chennai might only experience light, sporadic rains.
What Happens if Rain Disrupts IPL Qualifier 2 & IPL Final in Chennai? In case rain does pour down on Friday, during the IPL Qualifier between SRH and RR, there’s a reserve day in place as well. Let us assume, the rain gods do not permit the match to be played at all on the reserve day as well, then SRH will automatically qualify for the final. That is because they are second on the points table, and a spot above RR.
Likewise, if the IPL final is also disrupted, there’s a reserve day. If there’s no reserve day, then KKR will be crowned the champions on the basis of the points table, where they topped the list. Unfair, but that’s the effect incessant rain would have.
Remember Marathon IPL Final 2023? It is not like IPL finals haven’t been disrupted due to rains. In fact, in a manner of speaking, IPL 2023 final was played over three days, where CSK eventually beat Hardik Pandya’s GT by 5 runs (DLS). On the first day, GT batted and scored 214, with Sai Sudharsan slamming 96 from 47 deliveries. Wriddhiman Saha had scored a fifty too.
The match extended to the reserve day, which was also rain-hit, and eventually finished past 1:30 am the next day. Devon Conway was excellent for CSK with his 40-odd, while Ambati Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja took the team home with small cameos.
