The IPL playoff lineup could be finalized as early as today, with Mumbai Indians set to face Delhi Capitals at home. A win for Hardik Pandya’s side will confirm them as the fourth team to qualify for the playoffs. On the other hand, Delhi must win to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, this high-stakes clash is under threat from unfavorable weather conditions in Mumbai.
According to the local meteorological department, heavy to very heavy rainfall with thunderstorms is expected in Mumbai on Wednesday evening, along with strong winds reaching 50–60 km/h. With Wankhede Stadium located near the Arabian Sea, the venue is likely to be impacted by the storm.
Rain has already affected multiple matches in this season’s IPL, especially in Kolkata and Bengaluru. A similar situation may unfold in Mumbai. In fact, rain on Tuesday already disrupted both teams’ practice sessions. Training was called off around 8:30 PM, the field was covered, and the stadium lights were turned off. The forecast suggests similar conditions on Wednesday, increasing concerns about the match being washed out.
There is, however, a glimmer of hope. Due to weather concerns, the IPL organizers have added an extra hour of buffer time for each match starting Tuesday. Typically, matches have one hour of additional time beyond the scheduled end — now it’s extended to two hours, including the final. Still, if overs are reduced, it could disrupt both teams’ strategies.
So far, Gujarat Titans, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and Punjab Kings have already qualified for the playoffs. The remaining spot is being contested by Mumbai and Delhi. If Wednesday’s match is abandoned due to rain, both teams will still have one game left. However, it would be a missed opportunity for Mumbai, as a win today would have secured their qualification.
UA / TDS
