The playoff phase of IPL 2026 is going to start very soon. The first qualifier match will be played on May 26, then after the eliminator and second qualifier, the final will be played on May 31. The final match will be hosted by Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Playoff matches will be played on three different grounds. The first qualifier will be played in Dharamshala, while the eliminator and second qualifier matches will be hosted by New Chandigarh. The title match will be played in Ahmedabad. But have you thought that if it rains in the playoff matches, how will the winner be decided? Here you will get the answer to this question.

rain rule in playoff

When an ICC tournament is played, a reserve day is usually kept for knockout matches, but the rules of IPL playoffs are slightly different. There is no rule of reserve day for the first qualifier, eliminator and second qualifier matches. There is a rule of reserve day only for the final match. In such a situation, the question to be asked is that if there is rain in the qualifier or eliminator match, how will the winner be decided?

If rain occurs in a qualifier or eliminator match, match officials make every effort to complete the match on the same day. If there is a delay in starting the match, an additional time of 120 minutes is given to conduct the match of at least 5 overs.

If the result is not received then the decision will be taken like this

If even after 120 minutes of extra time the match cannot start or no result is obtained. Since there is no rule of reserve day for the first three playoff matches, the team with a better position in the points table will make it to the next match.

For example, the first qualifier is played between Team A and Team B and Team A is above Team B in the points table. If the result of the first qualifier match is not declared due to rain, then Team A will get direct entry into the final on the basis of better position. Similar rules will apply to eliminators and other qualifiers also.

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