Overview of Reserve Days in the IPL
Reserve days in the IPL play a crucial role in ensuring that key knockout matches reach a conclusion if weather or other factors prevent play on the scheduled day. Similar to international cricket, a reserve day is set aside to complete matches that couldn’t be finished or started on the original date, thus guaranteeing a fair result for important matches.
If a match is halted on its scheduled day, it will continue on the reserve day from the exact point where it was stopped. There is no reduction in overs unless necessary due to weather conditions. If the toss has already taken place on the original day, the results of the toss and team selections are carried forward to the reserve day.
A minimum of 20 overs per side is required to declare a result. If fewer than 20 overs are played, the match is rescheduled to the reserve day, where it will resume from the point of interruption, according to IPL rules.
IPL 2023 Final and the Reserve Day
One notable use of a reserve day occurred during the IPL 2023 final between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT). Originally scheduled for May 28, the match was postponed to May 29 due to heavy rain. This final, held in Ahmedabad, was rescheduled to the reserve day as rain made play impossible on the original date.
Had rain continued on the reserve day, Gujarat Titans would have been declared champions, as they finished at the top of the points table during the league stage. This rule was outlined in the IPL Playing Conditions.
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The BCCI set a cut-off time of 9:35 PM IST on the reserve day for a full match to commence without reducing overs. If necessary, a five-over-per-side match could have been played starting as late as 12:06 AM IST, or a Super Over could have been used, with the latest possible start at 1:20 AM IST. If none of these options were feasible, Gujarat would have won based on their league stage performance.
To prepare for these possibilities, the BCCI provided guidance for fans who had bought tickets for the final. The guidelines stated that ticket holders must present their original tickets from May 28 to gain entry on May 29. If tickets were torn or damaged, all pieces had to be provided, and tickets missing essential information would not be accepted.
Reserve Day in IPL 2014 Playoff
The last time a reserve day was utilized for an IPL knockout match before 2023 was during the 2014 Qualifier 1 between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings. Rain disrupted the match in Kolkata, forcing it to be rescheduled to the following day. Notably, the match began at 4:00 PM IST, marking the only IPL playoff game to take place in the afternoon.
Back then, similar criteria were applied. If at least 10 overs per side could not be completed during a knockout match due to rain, the match would be moved to a reserve day. If one innings was completed but rain prevented play in the second innings, the DLS method was used to decide the winner. If weather conditions remained unplayable, the team higher in the league standings advanced or won the match.
Historical Instances of Reserve Days in Cricket
The 1979 World Cup
One of the earliest examples of reserve days in cricket took place during the 1979 World Cup, where a match between Sri Lanka and India was rescheduled. In that tournament, Sri Lanka won the ICC Trophy, which qualified them for the main event.
2002 Champions Trophy Final
In 2002, the ICC Champions Trophy final between India and Sri Lanka saw reserve days come into play twice. The first attempt at the final, on September 29, was abandoned due to rain with India at 14/0 after two overs. A fresh match was started on the reserve day, September 30, but rain interrupted play again, leading to both teams being declared joint winners.
2019 World Cup Semi-final: India vs New Zealand
In the 2019 ODI World Cup, the semi-final between India and New Zealand used a reserve day due to rain interruptions. New Zealand batted first and scored 239/8, but rain forced the game to carry over to the next day. India, chasing the target, struggled early and despite late efforts from Ravindra Jadeja (77) and MS Dhoni (50), were bowled out for 221, handing New Zealand an 18-run victory.
FAQs
Is there a reserve day for the IPL final?
Yes, the IPL final includes a reserve day as a precaution to ensure the match is completed if weather or other factors disrupt the scheduled day. However, the reserve day is only used after all other options to play the match have been exhausted.
What happens if it rains on the reserve day in cricket?
If rain or other disruptions continue into the reserve day, additional measures are in place to complete the match. These include adding up to 120 minutes of extra time to accommodate weather delays and ensure a result.
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