India vs New Zealand semi-final match moves to reserve day – will rain play a spoilsport?

Lords : The first semi-final game between India and New Zealand has slipped into the reserve day with rain playing a spoilsport on Tuesday. 

Play had to be stopped after 46.1 overs in the first innings when New Zealand had reached 211 for 5 with Ross Taylor (67*) and Tom Latham (3*) on strike. Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja and Yuzvendra Chahal had picked up a wicket each till that point for India.

Depending on the conditions on Wednesday, the game will proceed. The bigger question remains what will happen if the rain continues on Wednesday.

For the match to be completed, India are required to bat for at least 20 overs. If no play is possible on the reserve day also then India will qualify for the final due as they had finished on top of the points table in the league phase, ahead of fourth-placed New Zealand.

"In the event of poor weather for example, steps will be taken to be able to finish the match that day e.g. reducing the number of overs down to the minimum of 20 overs per team needed to achieve a result, or by extending the match by up to 120 min.

"If there is still no result on the scheduled match day, play will continue on the Reserve Day, using the same start time and hours of play as the scheduled match day.

"The reserve day will be a continuation not a restart, assuming play commenced on the original match day, meaning the score from the original match day will be carried through to the reserve day," the BCCI said in a series of tweets.

"Your match ticket is valid for both the originally planned date of the match and will also be valid on the Reserve Day if required. Please hold onto your ticket for the Reserve Day to gain entry to the ground.

"If you are unable to attend the Reserve Day, please note that you cannot sell your ticket to other fans due to the limited turnaround time," the ICC said in a statement for all ticket holders of this semi-final.

Interestingly, India vs New Zealand league match was also washed out with both the teams getting one point each.