Ahmedabad, June 1 (UNI) The start of the IPL Qualifier 2 between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians at the Narendra Modi Stadium has been delayed on Sunday evening due to rain.
As per match regulations, a two-hour window is available before overs start getting reduced, allowing organisers time to wait for improved conditions.
Punjab won the toss and elected to bowl first, but just as the players were preparing to take the field at 1930 hrs local time, a fresh spell of rain interrupted proceedings. Ground staff rushed to bring the covers back on.
Initially, only partial covers were deployed, with the groundsmen expecting the weather to pass quickly, keeping the two-hour buffer in mind. However, within minutes, the rain intensified.
By 1937 hrs, a steady downpour forced the full square to be covered. With rain falling persistently, match officials closely monitored the clock, aware that any delay beyond 2130 hrs local time would result in loss of overs.
Players, who had briefly emerged from their dugouts, returned to the dressing rooms as hopes of an on-time start diminished.
Despite the disruption, officials remain optimistic of a full contest if the weather clears within the permissible window.
