The stage is set for a thrilling finale as India and South Africa prepare to square off in the 2024 T20 World Cup final at the Kensington Oval on Saturday.

This pivotal match marks India's first return to the T20 World Cup final since their 2014 loss to Sri Lanka and offers them a shot at their first ICC trophy in over a decade.  

Having narrowly missed out on major titles in recent years, including the World Test Championships in 2021 and 2023 and last year's ODI World Cup, India is under significant pressure to clinch the win. Conversely, South Africa, often dubbed as "chokers" in cricketing circles due to their history of faltering in crucial matches, has a chance to rewrite their legacy in their first-ever ICC World Cup final appearance.

The pitch conditions at Kensington Oval, known for early movement and extra bounce, will likely play a critical role, especially if the toss-winning team opts to bowl first to exploit these advantages. However, the weather could be a deciding factor as heavy rain is forecast for the day, threatening to disrupt play as it has throughout the tournament.

With the final scheduled to start at 7:30 pm PST, contingency plans are in place including a reserve day on Sunday, to ensure the game reaches its conclusion.

The anticipation is palpable, with India looking to end their streak of losing finals and South Africa aiming to claim their first ICC trophy, shedding their unwanted tag. Both teams have demonstrated formidable form, with India tipped as the favorites, but South Africa's resilience in crucial matches suggests a potential upset. 

What if rain washes out the India vs South Africa final?

The match is under threat from potential rain, which had already impacted the semi-final against England in Guyana. 

The International Cricket Council (ICC) had allocated 250 minutes of extra time for the semi-finals due to the lack of a reserve day.

The same allowance applies to the final, aiming to complete the match on the scheduled day. The game is set to start at 10:30 AM local time, but rain could delay the proceedings up to 4 hours and 10 minutes.

According to ICC rules, the priority is to finish the match on the scheduled day, even if it means a reduced-overs game. "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 ICC guidelines state.

For a result, each team must play a minimum of 10 overs. If rain prevents any play on 29 June, the match will shift to the reserve day, Sunday, 30 June. "Each team must have had the opportunity to bat for a minimum of ten (10) overs for a result to be achieved," the ICC rules explain.

In the event of a mid-game interruption, the match can extend to the next day, preserving the original 20 overs per side if the second innings hasn't started. If the match resumes on the reserve day, it continues from where it left off, with possible overs reduction based on the conditions.

The ICC's guidelines are clear: they aim to conclude the final on Saturday, even if rain necessitates a DLS (Duckworth-Lewis-Stern) adjusted game. Yet, if weather conditions are unfavourable, don't be surprised if the final is moved to Sunday, 30 June.