• The covers are back on as it has started to rain again in Ahmedabad. The start time for the all-important IPL 2023 final between MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings and Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans is not yet out. Earlier, the rain had stopped at around 9:15 PM and the covers had come off at the Narendra Modi Stadium, reports ndtv.com

The toss for the Indian Premier League final between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings was delayed due to heavy downpour here on Sunday It began drizzling just about half an hour before the toss time and the ground staff was quick to cover the centre with two separate layers of sheets, along with covering the areas of run-ups for fast bowlers.

But the intensity of downpour picked up heavily, along with thunder and lightning soon, and the fans who had filled up the stands in large numbers, were forced to look for cover and retreat into the stands.

Huge puddles of water were also seen adjacent to the centre strip which remained uncovered.

The match could be pushed to a reserve day — the next day that is — if even a five-over game is not possible by the cut-off time of 11:56 PM local time.

Additionally, no overs would be lost if the game starts by 9:40PM local time.

As per the rules, if the IPL final is affected by rains or washed out on the day of the match, the game can be played on the next day which is treated as a reserve day.

But if the reserved day is also affected by weather conditions or is washed out, the team which ends at the first position after the league round, wins the title.

The defending champions Gujarat Titans had topped the points table after the 70-match league round, finishing as the only team to have won 10 out of 14 matches and 20 points. Chennai Super Kings had finished second with 17 points.

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