Finance
Rajasthan Royals were denied a chance to finish in the top two of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 points table when their last league encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders was called off due to weather at the Barsapara Stadium on Sunday.
The cancellation of the IPL 2024’s final league game means that table-toppers KKR will meet Sunrisers Hyderabad in Qualifier 1 in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, while third-placed RR will face the in-form Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Eliminator at the same venue on Wednesday. It is also the first time KKR has finished the IPL league stage as table-toppers.
Ahead of Sunday’s game, there had been an alert issued in Guwahati about rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds affecting the clash between the top two teams on the points table. Just five minutes before the scheduled toss time, sudden rain forced the groundstaff to bring the covers on the playing square.
Additional coverings were quickly brought in, and the forecast was not looking great, with the drizzle ranging from heavy to constant, keeping both teams and fans waiting. With a five-over shootout deadline of 10.56 pm local time, the rain ceased at 10 p.m. and covers were removed, with super soppers in full action.
With rain still threatening, KKR elected to bowl first in a seven-overs-per-side shootout. However, rain returned to Guwahati shortly before the start of the shortened game, and the covers were reinstalled.
At 10:49 p.m., captains Shreyas Iyer and Sanju Samson clasped hands to announce the match’s abandonment, with both RR and KKR receiving a point each.
Source:IANS
