The Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to move into it's playoffs stages as the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator is scheduled to be played on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively at Eden Gardens Stadium in Kolkata while Qualifier 2 and final is slated for Friday and Sunday accordingly at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, amid rain threat in Kolkata IPL has released new guidelines to determine the result of the playoffs' matches in case of any disruption.
A Super Over will now decide the result if any of the IPL playoff matches, including the summit clash, is disrupted by the weather and no play is possible in regulation time. Not just this but in case the ground conditions continue to remain unplayable, then the league standings will be used to identify the winners, an IPL briefing note has confirmed.
In case the match gets delayed in the first three playoff fixtures, the game can commence at 9:40 pm and the final game can start at 10:10 pm as the playoffs guidelines mentioned, as reported by ESPNCricinfo.
"The number of overs in the playoff match may, if necessary, be reduced so that each side has the opportunity to bat for five overs," read the IPL guidelines.
No timeouts will be in place for a five-over innings. The cut-off start time for the same would be 11.56 PM and 12.26 AM for the final. For the Super Overs to begin, it should be at 12.50 AM and 1.20 AM for the playoffs and final, respectively.
"For the Eliminator and each Qualifier playoff matches (where there is no reserve day), in the event that it is not possible to schedule a five-over match to complete by the end of the extra time on the original day, the teams will, if conditions permit, play a Super Over to determine the winner of the relevant Eliminator or Qualifier match," the guidelines further added.
For the final, the Super Over will need to start by 1.20am.
"For the final, in the event that it is not possible to schedule a five over match to be completed by the end of the extra time on the reserve day, the teams will, if conditions permit, play a Super Over to determine the winner of the final. This means that the pitch and ground must be ready for play so that the Super Over can start at the latest by 1.20am (final)."
While Gujarat Titans take on Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, Lucknow Super Giants will play Royal Challengers Bangalore at the same venue the next day in the Eliminator.
The second Qualifier and the final are slated to be played in Ahmedabad on Friday and Sunday respectively.
