IPL 2024: Chinnaswamy’s Drainage System Can Clear Water in 15-20 Mins If it Rains During RCB vs CSK

The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) clash between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will decide the last available spot in the season’s playoffs. The threat of a washout though hangs over the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, as the forecast suggests a 75 per cent chance of rainfall between 8-11 PM, with thunderstorms also likely from late afternoon to midnight.

ALSO READ | IPL 2024 Playoff Qualification Scenarios Explained: RCB vs CSK to Decide 4th Qualifier With Rain Threat Looming Large

What if RCB vs CSK Match is Washed Out?

CSK will seal the spot if they beat RCB or the game is washed out on Saturday. If RCB beat CSK by at least 18 runs or 11 balls to spare then they will grab the last playoff spot on the basis of net run-rate.

If the match is indeed washed out, then both RCB and CSK will get one point each – enough for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side to go up to 15 points.

If the game is affected by rain, then Chinnaswamy Stadium’s drainage system will come into play.

How is Chinnaswamy Stadium’s Drainage System

Karnataka State Cricket Association in 2017 had installed a SubAir subsurface aeration and vacuum-powered drainage system at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The technology helps to dry the outfield fasters and prevent water-logging as officials during the unveiling of the project had claimed the 200-horsepower machine, can drain water “36 times faster” than usual systems as it can remove water at 10,000 litres per minute. The match can begin and/or start again in 15 or 20 minutes after the rain stops.

“I had worked at the stadium for two or three years before the sub-air system was installed. I felt it was a tough phase because when it rained heavily, a lot of water would get accumulated on the outfield. The stadium did not have Bermuda grass like now back then, it was mixed grass. In some parts of the ground, there would be more water than others and it was tough to clear them,” India’s first female pitch curator Jacintha Kalyan had said in a video back in 2019.