As the IPL 2025 enters its critical Eliminator stage, the highly anticipated clash between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians is set to capture cricket fans’ attention. However, with monsoon rains threatening the schedule, many are wondering what will happen if this knockout match is washed out. Here is what the IPL rules say about rain-affected Eliminator matches and how it could impact both teams.
The IPL season often coincides with the monsoon period in India, making weather interruptions a common concern. The Eliminator is a do-or-die match, where the losing team is knocked out and the winner advances to the next round. In the event of rain, the match officials will first attempt to reduce overs to fit in a shortened game. For a T20 match to be official, each side must bat for at least five overs.
If conditions improve, the target score for the team batting second will be adjusted using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, a standard protocol for rain-shortened matches. However, if rain prevents the match from starting or continuing beyond the minimum overs, the game will be declared abandoned or washed out.
In such a scenario, the team that finished higher on the IPL league points table will automatically qualify for the next stage, the Qualifier 2 match. This rule ensures that consistent performance in the league phase is rewarded in case of uncontrollable weather disruptions.
Currently, the league standings show a clear hierarchy, so if the Eliminator between Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians is washed out, the team with the better league position will move forward without playing the match.
Fans and players are naturally disappointed when rain forces a knockout game to be abandoned, as it takes away the excitement and intensity of a do-or-die contest. While reserve days are sometimes allotted for important matches, the IPL’s packed schedule often makes this difficult.
As the day of the Eliminator approaches, fans hope for clear skies so that the match can proceed as planned. Until then, teams remain prepared for any eventuality, knowing that the points table could decide their fate if rain intervenes.
