India vs New Zealand: What happens if rain hits Champions Trophy 2025 Final?
Reserve day provisions in place as weather forecast suggests possible rain
DUBAI: The much-anticipated Champions Trophy 2025 final between India and New Zealand is set to take place today (Sunday, March 9), at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
However, with the weather forecast predicting possible rain, fans and teams alike are closely monitoring the conditions that could impact the high-stakes match.
According to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM), Dubai will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies, with a chance of rainfall. The met department has also predicted a drop in temperatures, with the city seeing a high of 35°C and a low of 24°C. Wind speeds are expected to reach up to 35km/h, which could further influence playing conditions.
AccuWeather reports 64 percent cloud cover and possible wind gusts of 46km/h, while The Weather Channel forecasts mostly cloudy conditions during the day, followed by partial clearing at night.
Historically, March is not a rainy month for Dubai, with an average of just 24mm of precipitation spread over four days. However, the current forecast suggests a deviation from the norm, adding an element of unpredictability to the final.
Impact on pitch and play
The Dubai International Cricket Stadium, known as the 'Ring of Fire,' has traditionally favoured spinners due to its dry and slow pitch conditions. India has dominated on this surface throughout the tournament, winning all their matches at the venue. However, rain could alter the pitch dynamics, making it more conducive for seam and swing bowling.
If moisture seeps into the surface, it could neutralise India's spin advantage while enhancing New Zealand's fast-bowling attack. The Kiwis, known for their ability to exploit swing-friendly conditions, could benefit significantly if the weather plays a role in the game.
Reserve Day provisions
In case of rain disruptions, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has allocated a reserve day for the final. If the match cannot be completed on Sunday, play will resume on Monday, March 10, from the exact point where it was stopped. The reserve day is scheduled to start at 2PM local time.
The ICC's playing conditions state that every effort will be made to complete the final on the scheduled day, including necessary overs reductions. A minimum of 25 overs per side must be bowled to constitute a match. If the match ends in a tie, a Super Over will decide the winner. However, if weather conditions prevent the Super Over or the match is abandoned on both days, India and New Zealand will be declared joint winners.