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Rain puts IPL qualifier on ice

Kolkata - The first IPL Qualifier match between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the table-topping Kings XI Punjab at Eden Gardens has been postponed until Wednesday due to torrential rain in the Kolkata region.

The supersport.com website reports that the match will now begin at 12:30 (SA time), while the eliminator match between the Chennai Super Kings and the Mumbai Indians will go ahead as scheduled at 16:30.

If the weather or ground conditions do not allow for a full match to take place at Eden Gardens tomorrow, overs will be reduced until it is a five-over-a-side affair.

Failing this, as per the playing conditions, the winner will be decided via a Super Over.

The latest the Super Over can begin is 17:40.

Should none of these options be possible, the Kings XI Punjab will automatically advance to the final given their superior league position.

The weather forecast at this stage indicates "thundershowers in spots" for Kolkata on Wednesday.

The ground had been fully under covers and the outfield was under ankle-deep water in places due to torrential rain lashing the city, PTI reported.

At 13:45, umpires Nigel Llong and S Ravi inspected the ground with curator Prabir Mukherjee and decided that no play would be possible at all on Tuesday, resulting in the early postponement.

The winner of the Qualifier match will receive safe passage to Sunday's final in Bangalore, while the loser will get a second bite of the cherry, as they take on the winner of tomorrow's eliminator match on Friday for the right to compete in the final.

Having won 11 of their 14 league games, Punjab deservedly took their place at the summit of the standings, with their consistent performances this season in large part thanks to the efforts of Glenn Maxwell, David Miller and captain George Bailey.

However, Kolkata will be hoping to get the chance to continue a sensational run of form tomorrow that has seen them win all of their last seven games, including a nine-wicket win over Punjab in Cuttack a fortnight ago.
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