In just over 24 hours' time, the knockout stages of the ongoing ODI World Cup will commence with hosts India crossing swords against arch-nemesis New Zealand at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. South Africa and Australia will square off in the second semi-final in Kolkata on November 16. With the remaining four teams in a do-or-die situation, what happens if the rain intervenes and plays spoilsport?
Well, the chances of rain during India's match against New Zealand are negligible but the semi-final in Kolkata faces a severe chance of being interrupted by showers.
So what happens if rain washes out the semi-final contest? Is there a reserve day? What if rain plays spoilsport in reserve days as well? Here's all you need to know:
When will the match postponed to reserve day?
In cricket, the implementation of a reserve day is a contingency plan, used only when completing the match on the scheduled day proves impossible. The umpires prioritise concluding the game within its original timeframe, even if it means reducing the match to a minimum of 20 overs per side. This approach ensures that every possible effort is made to finish the match on the day it was intended. The use of a reserve day is a last resort, employed when all other options are exhausted. An example of this was seen in the 2019 semi-final between India and New Zealand at Old Trafford, where a reserve day was utilized due to unplayable conditions on the scheduled match day.
Reserve day rule
Under ICC playing conditions, the continuation of a cricket match on a reserve day depends on the timing of the final rain interruption. This is determined by two distinct scenarios:
In the first scenario, imagine a match initially set for 50 overs per side gets disrupted at the 19th over. Subsequently, the overs are revised to 42 per side. If, before play resumes, it rains again and the day's play is called off, the match on the reserve day reverts to the original 50 overs per side. However, further reduction in overs may occur on the reserve day if needed.
The second scenario starts similarly, with a match beginning at 50 overs per side and facing an interruption at the 19th over. After reducing the overs to 42 per side, play resumes but is halted again due to rain after just one over. In this case, the match continues on the reserve day with the already reduced 46 overs per side, and there is a possibility of further reduction in overs depending on the day's conditions.
What if the match is washed on both days?
In the event that a cricket match spanning two days (the scheduled day and the reserve day) fails to deliver a minimum of 20 overs per side, leading to a 'no result', the team with a higher ranking from the group stage will automatically advance to the final. Consequently, under such circumstances, India and South Africa would progress to the final match scheduled in Ahmedabad on November 19.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
FIFA World Cup winner Thomas Muller wishes 'good luck' to Team India ahead of semi-final in Virat Kohli jersey
Hardik, Rahul, Pant or Iyer: Who should be India's next captain? Gautam Gambhir comes up with a resounding answer
