The highly anticipated final of the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League has been moved to Monday, May 29, after the game was delayed multiple times following incessant rains.

Sunday saw the start of the final get pushed multiple times due to the downpour at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Following which, the final has now been moved to the reserve day, with an announcement made at around 11pm on Sunday.

The weather forecast for the day was not too promising, with fans packing the stadium disappointed after the rain began at 6:30pm, an hour before the match was scheduled to start and half hour before the toss.

Hopes of a start were high at around 9pm, when the rain let up for a bit and the covers were drawn back for the super soppers to get to work, but another spell of rain hit shortly after, forcing ground staff to cover up the field again. with some serious puddles on the covers and exposed parts of the outfield, the ground staff would have taken at least another a hour to clear, provided rain had stopped.

According to league rules, the final is mandated to have a reserve day, in case of circumstances like these. In case the match is unable to begin by 12:06 am – the cut-off time – there could be a five-overs a side contest. But, the rain did not let up soon enough for the field to be cleared, leading the final to be moved.

With no predictions for rain on Monday, meaning a full 20 over match can take place.

With inputs from PTI