EXPLAINED: What Happens If IPL 2023 Final Between CSK and GT In Ahmedabad Is Washed Out Due To Rain?

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will be up against the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final of the 2023 edition of the IPL in what will be a repeat of the season opener and the first qualifier. This has been an enormous turnaround for the Super Kings, who finished 9th in the 10-team tournament last year and overcame several injury and team balance issues to make it to the final and will be hoping for a repeat of 2021, where they won the title after finishing 7th in IPL 2020. On the other hand, the Titans have only gotten better this season with four of their players leading the run-scoring and wicket-taking charts.

Since the match is set to be in Ahmedabad, the toss might become irrelevant as in 26 matches at the venue in the IPL, teams batting and chasing have won 13 times each. However, as it has been proved in the playoffs thus far, the knockouts come with a different pressure altogether and having runs on the board might prove to be a difference, despite all the rain around in Ahmedabad in the last few days.

On Friday, May 26 too, Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma chose to bowl first with overcast weather in mind, however, Shubman Gill's century literally poured cold water over their chances. Hence, the captain winning the toss might not get affected with the rain in his decision ahead of the final clash because not just showers, but thunderstorms are predicted on Sunday in Ahmedabad.

Yes, there's a 61 per cent chance of rain in the city on Sunday evening and the rain is most likely to make an appearance or two. While the game can be delayed up to 12:26 AM IST for a 5-over-per-side clash, however, there's a reserve day as well, for the final.

There will be efforts to get the match done on Sunday itself, however, if the rain doesn't allow all the 40 overs to be bowled, the match will resume from where it was interrupted on the reserve day, Monday, 29 May, with an extra 120 minutes added to the usual timings. If a 5-over match is also not possible on Sunday and rain doesn't allow any play, it will start afresh from the toss on Monday. If only the toss happens on the matchday and play doesn't take place, a fresh toss will be conducted on the reserve day.

However, if the rain continues to lash in Ahmedabad, the same procedure of shortened game will be followed with 1:20 AM IST (Tuesday, May 30) being the latest for a super over decider. If rain doesn't even allow that to happen on the reserve day as well, then the Gujarat Titans will be declared winners for finishing above Chennai Super Kings on the table in the league stage.