Rain threatens crucial RCB vs Gujarat Titans game in Bengaluru

The rain that had been forecast for Sunday evening in Bengaluru came down in torrents not long after the toss in Mumbai in the first game of the day, and with at least another shower forecast for later in the evening, around 7pm local time - toss time - the Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Titans game could well be affected.

The match, which is crucial for RCB, who are in a race with Mumbai Indians for the final spot in the IPL 2023 playoffs, is scheduled to start at 7.30pm, but the M Chinnaswamy Stadium was left drenched roughly three hours before the toss, though the rain did lose some intensity at around 4.30pm.

At the time of writing this, the main square is under covers, but there are many large patches of the ground under water.

The Chinnaswamy has the high-quality sub-air drainage system, which has in the past allowed matches to begin quickly after ran has stopped. Even on Saturday evening, teams trained not long after a shower.

RCB started the day in fourth place, tied on 14 points with Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai, who are playing bottom-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Wankhede Stadium. As things stand, if Mumbai win, RCB, who have an edge over Mumbai and Royals on net run rate, have to beat Titans, the table-toppers.

Here are the scenarios, starting with the possibility of the RCB vs Titans game being washed out.

No result in the RCB-Titans game
In this event Mumbai will qualify if they win, otherwise RCB will go through to the playoffs.

Mumbai Indians and RCB both win
Both Mumbai and RCB will move to 16 points, but this scenario will be stacked in favour of RCB who have the better NRR of the two. Even if RCB win by the barest margin of one run, Mumbai are required to thrash SRH by at least 79 runs to finish ahead of RCB. Even if Mumbai win by a margin bigger than 79 runs, RCB will have the advantage of knowing exactly what they would need to qualify because they are playing the last game.

Only one of Mumbai or RCB win
Whichever team wins, moves to 16 points and makes it to the playoffs. RCB losing to Titans is the best-case scenario for Mumbai to qualify with a win.

Both MI and RCB lose
This is the outcome Rajasthan Royals will be hoping for, for it would give them a realistic chance of qualifying. If this happens, all three teams - Mumbai, RCB and Royals - will be tied on 14 points. Mumbai will be knocked out on account of their poor NRR.

It will come down to NRR between RCB and Royals and here's what Royals would need from Titans. If RCB bat first and score 180, Royals need Titans to chase down the target in 19.3 overs or before. If RCB field first and concede 180, Royals need Titans to restrict RCB to 174 or less.

If the margins of RCB's loss are tighter than that, then they will go through with a better NRR.

No result in the Mumbai-SRH game
In this event, RCB will qualify if they win, otherwise Mumbai will go through to the playoffs.

No result in both matches
RCB will qualify on account of superior NRR.