The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 final between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, Ahmedabad has been abandoned due to rain. Due to incessant rain, the final was abandoned without a ball being bowled. The umpires waited till 11 PM for rain to stop as the ground staff needed nearly an hour to get it ready for play despite heavy rain. However, even a five overs per side game for which cut-off time was 12:06 AM was not possible. Umpires called head coaches Stephen Fleming and Ashish Nehra and informed them that the final has been postponed.
Reserve day
The IPL 2023 final will now be played on May 29 (Monday) at the same venue. While the forecast shows only 10 per cent chances of rain, heavy rain was not expected on Sunday itself.
What if rain interrupts on reserve day?
If rain plays spoilsport and the match is abandoned and there is no possibility of a super over game, defending champions GT will win the title for the second consecutive time as they were at the top of the points table after league stage with 20 points from 14 games.
Official statement
The final of the TATAIPL 2023 has been moved to the reserve day on 29th May - 7:30 PM IST at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
Physical tickets for today will be valid tomorrow. We request you to keep the tickets safe and intact.
Will rain affect captains' decision
As rain poses a threat on the reserve day as well, the captain winning the toss is likely to opt to field first as Duckworth Lewis (DLS) method may come in to play.
Retirement on IPL final day
While there were speculations that this will be Mahendra Singh Dhoni's last IPL season, hours before the play was scheduled to start, CSK middle-order batter Ambati Rayudu announced his retirement.
“2 great teams mi and csk, 204 matches, 14 seasons, 11 playoffs, 8 finals, 5 trophies. Hopefully 6th tonight. It’s been quite a journey. I have decided that tonight’s final is going to be my last game in the Ipl. I truly have enjoyed playing this great tournament. Thank u all. No u-turn,” Rayudu wrote on his official Twitter account.
Meanwhile, Dhoni is yet to take a decision whether he will hang his boots or come back for another IPL season next year.
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