Champions Trophy: What happens if final is washed out? Details
What's the story
The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 final is being played at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, March 9.
Interestingly, New Zealand have won the toss and elected to bat first.
Many fans are wondering what if play gets disrupted.
Notably, if play is disrupted on the scheduled day, the match will resume from the same point on Monday.
However, if no result is possible across both days, India and New Zealand will be crowned joint champions.
Rules
What if the match is not completed?
If play is interrupted on the scheduled day, International Cricket Council (ICC) playing conditions state that "the umpires shall use the available extra time and, if necessary, reduce the number of overs to try to achieve a result on that day."
However, for a valid result, each team must bat for at least 25 overs.
The DLS method can also come into play.
Procedure
What happens if play is abandoned for the day?
If play doesn't resume before the cut-off time for the minimum overs, "play shall be abandoned for the day, and the Reserve Day shall be used to complete or replay the match."
If abandonment occurs due to factors like an unfit pitch and at least 20 overs have been bowled in the second innings, the match result will be determined using the DLS method.
Information
What is the DLS method?
The DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) method is a mathematical formula used in rain-affected cricket matches to set revised targets. The method considers factors like runs scored, remaining overs, and wickets lost to determine a fair outcome.
Information
What happened in the 2002 edition?
As mentioned in the 2002 edition, India and Sri Lanka were declared joint winners after both the original and reserve days were washed out due to rain. Although Sri Lanka batted first and set a target of 223, according to ESPNcricinfo, play had to be stopped in the ninth over of the second innings. India had managed 38/1, and after rain continued on the reserve day, both teams were crowned joint champions.
Toss update
NZ elect to bat against India
As mentioned, New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner won the toss and elected to bat.
The Dubai International Stadium is hosting the high-voltage fixture.
India have been dominant in the tournament, winning their four games so far. NZ are not far behind, having clinched three of their four matches.
Meanwhile, India have now lost 15 successive tosses in ODI cricket. No other team has lost even 12 consecutive tosses in the format.