Explained: Detailed timings of play in case of rain delay for India vs England semi-final in T20 World Cup 2024

As fans eagerly wait for the second semi-final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 between India and England in Guyana on June 27, concerns over weather conditions and match regulations have been a topic of discussion. With India seeking to end their trophy drought and England looking to defend their title, the match couldn't get better.

Unlike the first semi-final, this crucial match does not have a day gap for the summit clash. The decision stems from the tight schedule between the second semi-final and the final in Barbados, leaving little room for delays. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has implemented specific regulations to ensure a fair and timely conclusion to the match.

“For performance reasons, to ensure teams do not have to 'play-travel-play' on consecutive days, the decision was taken to allocate the additional time for the second semi-final immediately post the game because the game is a 10.30 am start, whilst the first semi-final is an evening start, which means it is not feasible to play all additional time on the same day,” said an ICC spokesperson according to ESPNcricinfo.

Also Read: Rohit Sharma brushes off pressure ahead of semi-final against England

By what time should semi-final 2 begin?

Under these guidelines, overs will begin to be reduced at approximately 2:40 PM (12:10 AM IST), 250 minutes after the scheduled 10:30 AM (8:00 PM IST) start time. This creates a unique scenario where the match could commence as a full 20-over contest at 2:40 PM, only to face potential interruptions due to rain, risking a no-result outcome.

To constitute a completed game, both teams must have the opportunity to bat for at least 10 overs. The ICC spokesperson confirmed that the latest start time for a 10-over match would be around 4:14 PM (1:44 AM IST).

Also read: England vs India, Semi-Final 2 – Providence Stadium Weather Update

If weather conditions prevent the completion of a 10-over game for both sides, the team that finished at the top of their Super Eight group, in this case, India will advance to the final and take on South Africa on June 29.

These playing conditions were agreed upon by all participating boards well before the tournament began. However, the lack of a reserve day for this crucial encounter has raised eyebrows and sparked debates among fans and experts alike.