GUWAHATI: Weather is something that the Indian Premier League (IPL) gets to propose but never disposes of. The weather forecast for the cricket league has been a cause of worry lately as it seems as if rains will be affecting matches meant to qualify teams into playoffs rather than final round results.
This created too many ifs and buts in the race for playoff spots which eventually went down to the wire, making it an exciting finish. However, rain has now come into picture late enough thus stopping them from getting on the field of play.
This not only leaves every team’s chances of fighting through battles until the end uncertain but also dampens spirits among fans who have been waiting all season long to see their idols play one last time before signing off for this year.
Then there is also uncertainty about other foreign players after England stars left.
Now things are looking grim for both franchises’ hopes regarding playoffs, as well as those supporters across venues in India who may miss out on seeing Andre Russell, Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen & Co blast away either due to rains or national duty.
The Englishmen have already left India as per their cricket board’s direction since they would participate in T20 series against Pakistan as part of their build up towards forthcoming World Cup next month. Besides these playoffs further clashing with West Indies vs South Africa three-match T20 series scheduled on last week of May makes it doubtful whether or not players from both national sides will turn up!
Within a week two matches had to be abandoned without even a ball being bowled. Sharing points halted Gujarat Titans’ faint chances of reaching playoffs after sharing points in both games.
Firstly, Titans opted to share honours with Kolkata Knight Riders, first team qualifying for playoffs and finishing 2nd having drawn a point each at Ahmedabad on May 13th. On Thursday evening Shubman Gill & Co however shared points with Sunrisers Hyderabad away, which helped the home side seal the playoffs spot with 15 points from 13 games.
That’s not all as two more matches are likely to be affected by rain.
On Saturday, a resurgent Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) host Chennai Super Kings (CSK), needing to win the match with certain calculations to leapfrog CSK on NRR as the No. 4 side in playoffs. However, should RCB collect full points or alternatively draw the game then that will be enough for CSK to come through in terms of progress.
However, what is worrying is precipitation possibility during match hours at Bengaluru which stands at 70-90%. For many in Bangalore where water crisis has struck recently, this month’s early arrival of rains was an occasion to celebrate. Conversely, on this specific day RCB fans would prefer if it never rained once again in a while.
Thundershowers have been predicted over the weekend as well; thus this last league clash between KKR and Rajasthan Royals at the top of table may also go haywire.
KKR’s hard-hitting wicketkeeper Phil Salt together with the captain of England Jos Buttler who is also a regular opener for the Royals have already gone but then bad weather could well prevent a capacity crowd in Guwahati from watching the match that currently involves in-form Sunil Narine and Russell of KKR and home grown boy Riyan Parag, son of the soil, among others led by Sanju Samson at RR camp.