IPL 2023: Ground staff at Narendra Modi takes shelter under umbrella as heavy downpour stalls play

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 final between Chennai Super Kings and defending champions Gujarat Titans has been pushed to the reserve day as incessant rain washed away the chances of play on Sunday, May 28 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

While it continued to rain heavily at regular intervals, the ground staff at the venue was incredible at its work and made a lot of effort to dry the outfield whenever the rain stopped. During the evening, there was a moment when a group of ground staff was spotted taking shelter under an umbrella while they were trying to carry out their work on the field.

The rain was so heavy that it didn't even allow the match officials to conduct the toss. The final clash between the defending champions Gujarat Titans and the four-time champions Chennai Super Kings will now be played on Monday, May 29. 

Summit clash between two top sides

Both Gujarat and Chennai have been phenomenal throughout the course of IPL 2023. While the Hardik Pandya-led side finished the season as the table-toppers with 20 points, it was the MS Dhoni-led Chennai that finished second on the ladder.

May 28 also brought a piece of sad news for Chennai fans as batter Ambati Rayudu announced that he will retire from the IPL after the final of the 16th edition.

Rayudu took to Twitter to make the announcement and wrote, "2 great teams mi nd csk,204 matches,14 seasons,11 playoffs,8 finals,5 trophies.hopefully 6th tonight. It’s been quite a journey.I have decided that tonight’s final is going to be my last game in the Ipl.i truly hav enjoyed playing this great tournament.Thank u all. No u turn."

ATR@RayuduAmbati

2 great teams mi nd csk,204 matches,14 seasons,11 playoffs,8 finals,5 trophies.hopefully 6th tonight. It’s been quite a journey.I have decided that tonight’s final is going to be my last game in the Ipl.i truly hav enjoyed playing this great tournament.Thank u all. No u turn 😂🙏

05:40 PM · May 28, 2023

72.2K12K

Both teams will once again gear up for a battle on Monday and if the Rain Gods permit, the fans of the T20 extravaganza will get to see an incredible final but if the rain plays spoilsport yet again and the match gets washed out then Hardik's Titans will be crowned as champions as they had finished the league stage on top of the table.