T20 World Cup: What happens if rain washes out India vs South Africa final in Barbados? (2024)

Barbados,UPDATED: Jun 29, 2024 07:24 IST

India are set to play South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Saturday, 29 June. The match is expected to be affected by rain in Barbados, much like it was against England in the semi-finals at Guyana. The International Cricket Council had 250 minutes of added time reserved for the semi-final because the match did not have any reserve day attached to it. But what about the final? What is going to happen if rain washes out play on 29 June at Kensington Oval, Barbados?

The match is expected to begin at 10:30 AM local time, but the game is expected to be heavily curtailed by rain. As per the ICC guideline for the game, the added time is set to remain the same as the semi-final of the tournament. Meaning that a full game can happen even after a 4-hour 10-minute delay from the start time. In Indian Standard time, this means that a full 20 overs per side game can begin at 12:10 AM.

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The ICC rules state that the aim for the organisers will be to finish the game on Saturday itself, even if the final is not a full 20-over game.

"If play is interrupted on the scheduled day, the umpires shall use the available extra time and, if necessary, reduce the number of overs to try to achieve a result on that day. In making their decisions in relation to ground, weather and light, the umpires shall aim to maximise play on the scheduled day of the match in order to achieve a result on that day, as if there was no Reserve Day available," the ICC guidelines state.

A result can only happen if both teams play a minimum of 10 overs each. If the rain does not allow play to happen at all, then the match will be shifted to Sunday, 30 June.

"Each team must have had the opportunity to bat for a minimum of ten (10) overs for a result to be achieved. If play has not resumed by the cut-off time required to allow the minimum number of overs to be bowled to achieve a result on the scheduled day, play shall be abandoned for the day and the Reserve Day shall be used to either complete or replay the match," ICC guidelines state.

EXTENSION OF MATCH ON SATURDAY

In case the final between India and South Africa is interrupted midway due to rain, then the ICC has a choice of extending the match to the next day. A full game of 20 overs will happen if the match is stopped before the first ball of the second innings is bowled.

However, if the first over of the match is bowled in the second innings, then the DLS rules will apply.

"If the Reserve Day is used to continue an incomplete match the Reserve Day shall be used. On the Reserve Day, play shall recommence under the same assumption that the last ball was bowled on the scheduled day. The match starts when the coin toss takes place and teams are exchanged. If the toss occurs on the scheduled day and there is no play thereafter, the result of the toss and the named teams shall be carried through to the Reserve Day," the ICC states.

Example 1: Match starts at 20 overs per side and there is an interruption at 9 overs. Overs are reduced to 17 overs per side and play is about to resume. Before another ball is bowled it rains and play is abandoned for the day. As the match did not resume under the revised overs, the match should continue on the Reserve Day at the original 20 overs per side with the overs reduced if necessary during the Reserve Day.

Example 2: The same start as in example 1 i.e. match starts at 20 overs per side and there is an interruption at 9 overs. Overs are reduced to 17 overs per side and play is about to resume. This time, play starts and after an over has been bowled it rains and play is abandoned for the day. As the match has resumed, it is continued on the Reserve Day at 17 overs per side with the overs further reduced if necessary during the Reserve Day.

CONCLUSION

The ICC in its guidelines clearly mentions that they want to finish the final on Saturday, even if it is going to be a rain-curtailed match, affected by the DLS rules. But do not be surprised if the ICC decide to shift the match to Sunday, 30 June due to a rain delay.

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