IPL 2014: First Qualifier between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders postponed to Wednesday due to rain

File Photo: Eden Gardens

The first play-off match between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders that was scheduled to be played today (May 27) has been posponed to 4 PM tomorrow (May 28) as a result of heavy rains in Kolkata.

The #IPL qualifier between KKR and Kings XI Punjab will now be played at 4pm on Wednesday

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 27, 2014

Earlier in the day, with possibilities of rain interventions in all the IPL play-off matches this year, the IPL organizers released the fresh playing conditions to be followed in such a scenario.

There will be no strategic time-outs for matches if affected my rain.

Revised playing conditions:

1. Extra time of 120 minutes is available. Additionally, the mid-innings break can be reduced to 10 minutes and the time-outs will be cancelled.

2. As a result, the play-off matches can start as late as 10.20 PM without the number of overs being reduced.

3. Every attempt will be made to complete the play-off match on the original day. The number of overs in the playoff match will, if necessary, be reduced down to 5 overs a side.

4. The latest that a 5-overs per side match can start is 12.20am, with a scheduled finish of 1.10am.

5. A reserve day is available for three of the four play-off matches, as follows:

a. Qualifier 1 - reserve day: Wednesday, 28 May, at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, starting at 4PM

b. Eliminator - reserve day: Thursday, 29 May at CCI, Mumbai, starting at 8pm

c. Qualifier 2 - no reserve day

d. Final - reserve day: Monday, 2 June, at M. Chinnaswamy stadium, Bangalore, starting at 8pm. An additional 120 minutes of extra time is available on each reserve day.

6. If the play-off match has started (at least one ball bowled) but not finished on the original day, it will be completed on the reserve day.

7. If the play-off match has not started (even if the toss has taken place), a new 20-over match will be played on the reserve day, starting at the time specified in paragraph 5 for relevant play-off match. New toss and new team selection will be followed. 

8. Examples of the application of paragraphs 6 and 7:

a. Qualifier 1 starts and after 4 overs of the first innings rain prevents any further play that evening/night - the match restarts at 4 pm on Wednesday, with (if conditions allow) the first innings being completed (16 overs) and the full second innings of 20 overs.

b. As for a) above, but the rain relents on that evening/night such that the pitch and ground are playable at 12.36am on Wednesday 28 May - the match is reduced to 5 overs per side, the batting side bats for one further over, followed by, after a ten minute interval, the second innings of 5 overs.

c. As for b) above, but after 3 balls (i.e. after 4.3 overs of the first innings), the rain prevents any further play - the match restarts at 4pm on Wednesday 28 May with (if conditions allow), the batting side completing its innings (3 balls), followed by the second innings of 5 overs.

d. The Eliminator starts on time and the first innings of 20 overs is completed but after 5.3 overs of the second innings, rain prevents any further play that evening/night - the result is decided that night under the Duckworth/Lewis method.

e. After the toss for the Final, no play is possible that evening/night - a new 20 over per side match starts at 8pm on Monday 2 June. Each team can select a new team.

9. In the event that it is not possible to schedule a 5-over match to complete by the end of the extra time on the reserve day (i.e., by 9.10pm on Wednesday 28 May for the Qualifier 1, by 1.10am on Thursday 29 May for the Eliminator, or by 1.10am on Monday 2 June for the Final), the teams will, if conditions permit, play a Super Over to determine the winner of that playoff match. The pitch and ground must be ready for play so that the Super Over can start at the latest by 9.10pm or 1.10am on the relevant day as appropriate.

10. For the Qualifier 2 play-off match (no reserve day), in the event that it is not possible to schedule a 5 over match to complete by the end of the extra time that evening/night, the teams will, if conditions permit, play a Super Over to determine the winner of the Qualifier 2. The pitch and ground must be ready for play so that the Super Over can start at the latest by 1.10am on Saturday 31 May.

11. In the event that it is not possible to start the Super Over as described in paragraphs 9 and 10 or to then complete the Super Over without interruption, the team that finished highest in the league table after the 56 matches of the regular season shall be declared the winner of the relevant playoff match.