Punjab Kings finished the league stage at the top of the table, but their momentum was halted by Royal Challengers Bangalore, who handed them a heavy defeat in the first qualifier. However, Shreyas Iyer’s team still has one more shot at reaching the final. They will face Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2.
Mumbai had a slow start to the season but found form at the right time, defeating Gujarat Titans in the Eliminator. Their performance once again underlines why Mumbai are considered one of the most dangerous teams in knockout matches.
The crucial Qualifier 2 will be held in Ahmedabad, and the winner will book a place in the IPL final. But could rain play spoilsport?
According to the local weather forecast, there is a possibility of rain during the match. However, it is expected to be light and not enough to force a washout. If it rains, the match may be paused temporarily but should resume.
The temperature during the evening is expected to hover around 31°C. While there might be some rain at night, it is unlikely to affect play significantly. As per the new playoff regulations, officials can wait up to 120 minutes (instead of 60) to complete the match.
If the match is abandoned due to rain and cannot be completed, the team that finished higher in the league standings will automatically qualify for the final. That means Punjab Kings, who secured 19 points in the league stage, will progress to the final, and five-time champions Mumbai Indians will be knocked out of the tournament.