June 2, IPL 2025: The IPL 2025 season has now reached its final stage. 73 matches have been played so far this season and now the final match is to be played at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. This time the teams of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Punjab Kings will face each other for the title. Both the teams have never won the title till now. In such a situation, RCB and Punjab will be eyeing their first title.
Punjab-RCB were the top two in the group stage
This season started with a match between RCB and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). RCB and Punjab’s performance this season has been fantastic. While Punjab topped the group stage, RCB ended the league stage in second place. RCB’s team record has been 100 percent away from home this season. The teams of RCB and Punjab once met in Ahmedabad in 2021 in which Punjab won. However, RCB defeated Punjab in Qualifier-1 match. Now it will be a matter of seeing which team wins on Tuesday.
The shadow of the rain on the match
Qualifier-2 match between Punjab and Mumbai Indians was also played in Ahmedabad. The match was interrupted by rain after the toss and the match started with a delay of two hours and 15 minutes due to frequent rain stops and restarts. However, due to extra time, the overs were not cut and the match was played at 20-20 overs only. Seeing the way the rain disrupted Qualifier-2, the question is being raised in the minds of the fans whether the rain will disrupt the final as well. According to the weather department, there is a possibility of rain in Ahmedabad on the day of the final match. According to the Meteorological Department, the day of the title match is expected to be cloudy with rain.
Earlier, the final match of the 2023 season was also played in Ahmedabad which was affected due to rain. The final match of that season was to be played on 28 May 2023, but not a single ball could be bowled on that day. BCCI kept a reserve day for the title match due to which the match was held the next day. On the day of Reserve Day too, rain hindered and it was decided to play 15 overs in the second innings.
Is there any reserve day for the final?
It is a matter of relief that this time also a reserve day has been kept for the final. Therefore, if the winner of IPL 2025 is not decided on the scheduled match day (June 3, Tuesday), then the match will be played on June 4.
Is there an extra cut off time to finish the match?
In view of the possibility of rain, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had increased the cut-off for the playoffs and the final match. BCCI has set an extra time of 120 minutes i.e. two hours to complete the match. According to this, the overs will not be cut if the match starts by 9:30 PM. The cut-off time for a five-over five match is 11:56 p.m. If the match could not be played by that time, then the match will be played on Reserve Day i.e. Wednesday.
Who will be the winner of the reserve day match?
If rain disrupts the next day too and the match cannot be played on the reserve day, then both teams will play a super over and in the super over it will be determined which team will become the champion. An extra time of 20 minutes has been allowed for the Super Over. That means the Super Over can start at 12:30 PM. If the Super Over could not be completed by then then the final match will be canceled and Punjab will be declared the winner due to being at the top of the points table.
Read More: PBKS vs RCB: Battle for First IPL Title Amid Rain Concerns!
