Champions Trophy Final: Is there a reserve day? What happens if rain washes out IND vs NZ match?

The Champions Trophy has been once shared between two teams due to rain and no result. India and Sri Lanka were declared joint winners in 2002. But what happens if the 2025 Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand gets washed out on the scheduled day, Sunday (9 March)?

As per the ICC’s playing conditions for the 2025 Champions Trophy, the semi-final and final will have reserve days. While reserve days were not needed for the semi-finals, the reserve day for the final is Monday (10 March).

Champions Trophy 2025:  News |  Schedule |  Results

However, the ICC playing conditions stipulate that all efforts will be made to finish the 2025 Champions Trophy final on the scheduled day, Sunday (9 March). A maximum of two hours of additional time is available on the original day and the reserve day.

“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,” the playing conditions for 2025 Champions Trophy final reads.

“In making their decisions in relation to ground, weather and light, the umpires shall aim to maximise 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.”

What will happen if rain interrupts Champions Trophy final?

The first step will be to cut overs after a cut-off time is reached. The ICC playing conditions say that “each team must have had the opportunity to bat for a minimum of twenty five (25) overs for a result to be achieved”.

However, if play has not resumed by the cut-off time required to allow the minimum number of overs (25) to be bowled to achieve a result on the scheduled day, play shall be abandoned for the day and the final will be moved to the reserve day.

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The interesting thing to note here is that the play on the reserve day will start from where it stopped on the scheduled day. No new match will be played.

A match will be considered as started when the coin toss takes place and the teams are exchanged. If the toss occurs on the scheduled day and there is no play thereafter, the result of the toss and the named teams shall be carried through to the reserve day.

What happens if IND vs NZ Champions Trophy final ends in a tie? 

In case the 2025 Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand ends in a tie, then the teams will compete in a Super Over to determine the winner. If the Super Over also ends in a tie, then another Super Over will be played until a winner is decided.

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What happens if Champions Trophy final is washed out? 

The ICC rule is very clear in this matter. In case the 2025 Champions Trophy final between India and New Zealand is abandoned or there is no result even after using the reserve day, then both the teams will be declared as joint winners.