India vs South Africa: What If Rain Plays Spoilsport? What Will Happen?

India is set to face South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Saturday, 29 June, at Kensington Oval, Barbados. However, much like the semi-finals against England in Guyana, the final is expected to be heavily affected by rain. The International Cricket Council (ICC) had allocated 250 minutes of extra time for the semi-final due to the lack of a reserve day. For the final, the added time remains the same, meaning a full game can be played even after a 4-hour and 10-minute delay from the scheduled start time of 10:30 AM local time. In Indian Standard Time (IST), this implies that a full 20-over per side game can commence as late as 12:10 AM.

The ICC guidelines for the match emphasize finishing the game on Saturday itself, even if it is not a full 20-over match. The guidelines state: “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. The aim is to maximize play on the scheduled day of the match to achieve a result, as if there was no Reserve Day available.”

A minimum of 10 overs per side is required for a result. If the rain prevents play entirely, the match will be moved to Sunday, 30 June. According to ICC rules: “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, play shall be abandoned for the day, and the Reserve Day shall be used to either complete or replay the match.”

If the final is interrupted midway, the ICC can extend the match to the next day. A full game of 20 overs will occur if the match is stopped before the first ball of the second innings is bowled. If the second innings has started, DRS rules will apply. The ICC states: “If the Reserve Day is used to continue an incomplete match, play shall recommence under the 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.”

To illustrate, if a match starts at 20 overs per side and is interrupted at 9 overs, then overs are reduced to 17 overs per side. If play resumes but rains again before another ball is bowled, the match should continue the next day at the original 20 overs per side, reduced as necessary. If play resumes for an over and is then abandoned, the match continues the next day at 17 overs per side, reduced further if needed.

In conclusion, the ICC aims to complete the final on Saturday, even if rain curtails the match. However, if the weather does not cooperate, the match may shift to Sunday, 30 June, to ensure a fair and complete result.