There is a possibility of rain on Thursday in Mohali, where the first Qualifier match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru is scheduled to take place at the Mullanpur Cricket Stadium (New PCA Stadium). The winner of this match will directly qualify for the final, while the losing team will get another chance to reach the final by playing against the winner of the Eliminator match. But what if rain spoils the game? Which team will advance to the final, and who will go to Qualifier 2? Is there a reserve day? Here’s everything you need to know.
Earlier, Qualifier 1 and the Eliminator were supposed to be played in Hyderabad, but IPL officials later announced that both matches were shifted to Mullanpur. The playoffs begin on Thursday. Punjab Kings, led by Shreyas Iyer, topped the points table and will face RCB in Qualifier 1. RCB secured second place after defeating Lucknow.
What If Qualifier 1 Is Washed Out Due to Rain?
If the Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru match gets cancelled due to rain, Punjab Kings will automatically qualify for the final. According to IPL rules, if a playoff match is abandoned, the team that finished higher on the points table gets preference. Therefore, RCB will have to play in Qualifier 2 to have another shot at reaching the final.
Are There Reserve Days for Playoff Matches?
Currently, there is no official information about reserve days for the playoff matches. Last season, the IPL final had a reserve day, but this time the BCCI has introduced a new rule to minimize match cancellations.
Also Read- IPL 2025 Schedule- BCCI Announces Remaining Schedule; First Match on 17 May
BCCI’s New Rule for IPL 2025
To tackle weather interruptions, BCCI has added an extra 120 minutes (2 hours) to the allowable time window. This means a full 20-over match can now start as late as 9:30 PM, giving more flexibility in case of delays due to rain.
Mohali Weather Forecast
As per the forecast, Mohali is expected to experience a temperature of around 36°C on Thursday, with cloudy skies and a chance of light rain. However, heavy rain is predicted for Friday, the day the Eliminator match is scheduled between Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Titans. The losing team in that match will be eliminated. Gujarat Titans finished third and Mumbai Indians fourth in the points table.
