Navi Mumbai is bracing for a potentially wet encounter as India and South Africa prepare to face off in the Women's World Cup final at the DY Patil Stadium. While both teams are eager to claim their first-ever title, the weather forecast indicates a high likelihood of rain, threatening to disrupt the highly anticipated match.
According to weather reports, there is a significant chance of rain, with some forecasts even suggesting a possibility of thunderstorms. This has led to concerns about the match being interrupted or even washed out. As a result, it's crucial to understand the rules and regulations in place to handle such a scenario.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has implemented specific playing conditions to ensure a fair outcome, even if the weather intervenes. The primary objective is to complete the match on the scheduled day, even if it means reducing the number of overs. Efforts will be made by match officials to play a truncated fixture. To declare a winner, both teams must bat for a minimum of 20 overs each.
If the game is interrupted and it's impossible to reach the minimum 20 overs per side on Sunday, the match will be shifted to a reserve day on Monday. The game will then resume as a 50-over match, picking up from where it was halted on the original day. Any reduction of overs from the first day will carry over to the reserve day.
However, the weather forecast for the reserve day isn't entirely promising either. If the play resumes on the scheduled day after a reduction in overs, and rain intervenes again, the reduction of overs will be carried over to the reserve day. In the event that rain washes out the reserve day as well, the trophy will be shared between India and South Africa, and both teams will be declared joint winners.
The toss for the final has already been delayed due to a wet outfield, and there are reports of heavy rain in Navi Mumbai. Despite the gloomy weather, fans aremain upbeat.
Both India and South Africa have had a remarkable journey to the final. India, after defeating Australia in the semi-final, are aiming for their first ODI World Cup title, having lost in the finals in 2005 and 2017. Meanwhile, South Africa have reached their first-ever World Cup final.
As the weather remains uncertain, all eyes are on Navi Mumbai, hoping the rain will subside and allow for a full and exciting contest between these two deserving teams.
