3 rain-related rules to know about India vs England 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal

Team India are scheduled to take on England in the second semifinal of the ICC Men's 2024 T20 World Cup at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday, June 27. The winner of the match will take on South Africa in the final of the tournament at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on June 29.

The Men in Blue have had a terrific run in the T20 World Cup so far. They began the competition with three consecutive wins in Group A, getting the better of Ireland, Pakistan and United States. India remained undefeated in the Super 8 round. After registering victories over Afghanistan and Bangladesh, they got the better of Australia by 24 runs in St Lucia.

England finished second in the group stage and in the Super 8 round as well. They began their Super 8 journey with an eight-wicket win over West Indies. After going down to South Africa by seven runs, they confirmed their semis berth with a 10-wicket hammering of the United States in Barbados.

Even as India and England are preparing for the semifinal in Guyana, rain threat looms large over the mega contest. Keeping the same in mind, we brief you about three important rain-related playing conditions for the India vs England 2024 T20 World Cup semifinal.

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#1 No reserve day for India vs England semifinal

Unlike the first semifinal of the 2024 T20 World Cup between South Africa and Afghanistan in Trinidad, there is no reserve day for the India vs England semifinal in Guyana. This is because there is only a one-day gap between the second semifinal and the final of the T20 World Cup, which will be played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados on June 29.

While there is no reserve day for the India-England match, an additional time of 250 minutes have been allotted to try and complete the game on the scheduled day itself in case rain plays spoilsport in the contest. The same amount of extra time was kept aside for the first semifinal as well, but there was also a reserve day in store for the South Africa-Afghanistan clash.

"The second semi-final on June 27 has an additional 250 minutes available on the scheduled day, while the final on June 29 has a reserve day on June 30... There shall be a maximum of 250 minutes allocated to the scheduled day of semi-final 2, with no reserve day" Cricbuzz quoted ICC as saying.

Luckily, the weather did not hamper the first semifinal between South Africa and Afghanistan in Tarouba, Trinidad. Chasing a paltry target of 57, the Proteas hammered the Asian side by nine wickets to confirm their place in a World Cup final for the first time.

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#2 Both sides need to play 10 overs each

For the group stage and the Super 8 round of the ICC Men's 2024 T20 World Cup, a minimum of five overs per innings needed to be bowled for a match to be considered as complete. However, the same playing conditions will not apply to the knockouts.

For a result in the India vs England T20 World Cup semifinal at the Providence Stadium in Guyana on Thursday, both teams need to play a minimum of 10 overs each. The playing conditions for this game in case of a weather interruption state:

"If play is interrupted on the scheduled day, the umpires shall use the available extra time and, if necessary, reduce the number of overs to try to achieve a result on that day. In making their decisions in relation to ground, weather and light, the umpires shall aim to maximize play on the scheduled day of the match in order to achieve a result on that day, as if there was no Reserve Day available.

"Each team must have had the opportunity to bat for a minimum of ten (10) overs for a result to be achieved," the playing conditions further state.

ESPNcricinfo quoted an ICC spokesperson as saying that the cut-off time for a 10-over contest in the second semifinal is approximately 4.14 PM local time [1:44 AM IST - Friday, June 28].

India's fourth Group A match against Canada at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida on June 15 was abandoned due to wet outfield without a ball being bowled. Even the toss did not take place.

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#3 India will qualify for the 2024 T20 World Cup final if there is no result in the second semifinal

While umpires will try their best to have a game, even if it is a shortened one, the prospects do not look too bright. In case the second semifinal between India and England in Guyana on Thursday is washed out, the Men in Blue will qualify for the final in Barbados on June 29.

The playing conditions for the tournament in this regard state:

"...If the match is abandoned or a no result, then the team that finished first in its Second Round Group will progress to the Final."

In this instance, India finished first in Group 1 of the Super 8 round, winning all three of their matches. On the other hand, England were second in Group 2, with two wins and a loss.