IPL 2022 Playoffs Rules: Winner to be determined by THIS method in case of rain washout or any disruptions

BCCI has allowed adding an extra two hours over the stipulated 200 minutes of match time for the IPL 2022 playoffs games. In case of a delayed start, the first three playoff games can begin as late as 9:40 pm. While the Final - on May 29 - can begin as late as 10:10 PM without any overs being deducted.

File image (Source: Twitter)

A Super Over could decide IPL 2022 champions should rain gods play spoilsport and no play is possible in regulation time. Notably, if not even an over a side is possible, the league standing will take precedence and will decide the winner, according to an IPL briefing note. This will also apply to Qualifier 1, Eliminator, and Qualifier 2, which do not have reserve days. May 30 has been kept aside as a reserve day for the summit clash, which will begin at 8 pm IST.

With the IPL 2022 moving to Kolkata for the playoffs and inclement weather forecast for the city, the IPL council has issued certain guidelines in case of rain-interrupted games.

While Gujarat Titans take on Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, Lucknow Super Giants will play Royal Challengers Bangalore at the same venue the next day in the Eliminator. The second Qualifier and the final are slated to be played in Ahmedabad on Friday and Sunday respectively.

.@mipaltan win  @RCBTweets reach the Playoffs!  #MIvDC @faf1307 & Co. join @gujarat_titans, @rajasthanroyals & @LucknowIPL in the Top 4⃣ of the #TATAIPL 2022.  

Scorecard  https://t.co/sN8zo9RIV4 pic.twitter.com/KqxCb0iJYS — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 21, 2022

''The number of overs in the playoff match may, if necessary, be reduced so that each side has the opportunity to bat for five overs,'' the IPL guidelines read.

''For the Eliminator and each Qualifier playoff matches, in the event that it is not possible to schedule a five-over match to complete by the end of the extra time on an original day, the teams will, if conditions permit, play a Super Over to determine the winner of the relevant Eliminator or Qualifier match.'' If the Super Over is not possible ''the team that finished highest in the league table after the 70 matches of the regular season shall be declared the winner of the relevant play-off match or final,'' it added.

In the case of the two Qualifiers and the Eliminator, if one innings is complete but no play is possible in the second, the DLS method will come into play.

If the final starts on May 29 that is at least one ball is bowled then the ''match will resume at the point where it stopped on the previous day. For the avoidance of doubt, any match recalculations done without the match actually restarting on the previous night will be ignored.''

IPL 2022 Playoffs Schedule

The IPL 2022 Playoffs will kick off with Qualifier 1 between table-toppers Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals at Eden Gardens on Tuesday (May 24). The Eliminator will be held at the same venue a day after i.e. Wednesday (May 25) when Lucknow Super Giants take on Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Guidelines if Rain Interrupts a Game

• An allowance of an extra two hours over the stipulated 200 minutes of match time has been added to the playing conditions.
• In case the start gets delayed, the first three playoff matches can start as late as 9:40 pm while the final can begin at 10:10 pm without any overs being lost.
• the two strategic timeouts per innings will be retained
• There will be a 20-minute mid-innings break being halved if rain delays the proceedings.

Rules in case of reduced overs

• The number of overs in the playoff match may, if necessary, be reduced so that each side has the opportunity to bat for five overs.
• There will be no timeouts for a five-overs-a-side game which will have a cut-off start time of four minutes before midnight (11:56 pm) with a 10-minute innings break and a scheduled finish time of 12:50 am.
• In case the final is reduced a five-overs-a-side match, it would need to begin latest by 12:26 am.

Rules for the IPL 2022 final

• The IPL governing council has also stated that in case the final starts on May 29 (at least one ball is bowled), but could not be finished on the original day due to any reason, then the match would be wrapped on the reserve day (May 30).
• The match will resume at the point where it stopped on the previous day. For the avoidance of doubt, any match recalculations done without the match actually restarting on the previous night will be ignored.
• In case where no play would be possible after the toss in the final, teams would have a fresh toss on the reserve day.
• The reserve day will comprise the same amount of playing time – five hours and 20 minutes including the two extra hours available in case of any disruption or rain.
• In case of the IPL 2022 final, the Super Over would need to start at 1:20 am