Rain delays toss in IPL final between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings
Ahmedabad, May 28: The toss for the Indian Premier League final between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings was delayed due to heavy downpour here on Sunday.
It began drizzling just about half an hour before the toss time and the ground staff was quick to cover the centre with two separate layers of sheets, along with covering the areas of run-ups for fast bowlers.
But the intensity of downpour picked up heavily, along with thunder and lightning soon, and the fans who had filled up the stands in large numbers, were forced to look for cover and retreat into the stands.
Huge puddles of water were also seen adjacent to the centre strip which remained uncovered.
The match could be pushed to a reserve day the next day that is if even a five-over game is not possible by the cut-off time of 12:06 AM local time. The cut-off time for start of Super Over is 12:56 AM.
Additionally, no overs would be lost if the game starts by 9:40PM local time.
As per the rules, if the IPL final is affected by rains or washed out on the day of the match, the game can be played on the next day which is treated as a reserve day.
But if the reserved day is also affected by weather conditions or is washed out, the team which ends at the first position after the league round, wins the title.
The defending champions Gujarat Titans had topped the points table after the 70-match league round, finishing as the only team to have won 10 out of 14 matches and 20 points. Chennai Super Kings had finished second with 17 points.
🚨 Update
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 28, 2023
It's raining 🌧️ in Ahmedabad & the TOSS has been delayed!
Stay Tuned for more updates.
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/IUkeFQS4Il#TATAIPL | #Final | #CSKvGT pic.twitter.com/eGuqO05EGr
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Priyanka Gandhi calls for ‘moral accountability’ over names in ‘Epstein files’
Wayanad (Kerala) (PTI): Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday called for "moral accountability" from public office-bearers whose names appear in the 'Epstein files', alleging that such accountability was lacking in India.
Speaking to reporters in Wayanad, Vadra said that across the world, those in public office whose names appear in the 'Epstein files' have resigned.
Her remarks come at a time when Congress is demanding the resignation of Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, whose name figures in the 'Epstein files' released in the United States.
“But here, our government does not seem to think there is any moral accountability towards the public. There is a moral accountability,” she said.
She added that if a person’s name appears in such files, they bear moral responsibility.
“Not just your name, but if you are repeatedly emailing back and forth and are clearly aware of this person’s activities, if you have been engaging in conversations and meetings, and if you are a minister, you have a moral responsibility towards the people of your country,” she said.
She noted that in other parts of the world, ministers and even members of royal families had been arrested or investigated and had resigned.
“But here, there seems to be absolutely no consciousness that there is some responsibility owed to the people. If you are interacting with a convicted paedophile and criminal, then surely there should be some accountability,” she said.
The 'Epstein files' refer to documents held by the US government relating to Jeffrey Epstein, containing details of his interactions with wealthy, prominent and influential individuals.
Epstein was later convicted of sex crimes, particularly involving the sexual abuse of underage girls.
When asked about Kerala Health Minister Veena George suffering injuries during a KSU protest, Vadra said she was not in favour of any form of violence.
On houses to be provided by the state government to over 170 families affected by the landslide, she said she was glad people were receiving homes, but stressed that the process should be expedited, including the construction of houses by the Congress for victims.
She also took a dig at the Union government, alleging a lack of assistance from the Centre. “We have received practically no help from the Centre, which I feel is tragic,” she said.
She added that the landslide was declared a severe disaster only after prolonged efforts, despite demands to classify it as a national disaster.
The landslide claimed over 200 lives and destroyed hundreds of homes in July 2024.
“These are times for all of us to come together, above politics. I know it is election time, but when something of such scale happens, we must all unite,” she said.
On the change of the state’s name from Kerala to Keralam, she said she was getting used to it like everyone else.
“I keep saying Kerala and then correcting it to Keralam. I will get used to it,” she said.
When asked about a Congress MP criticising the name change, she said she was not aware of the remarks made by other leaders in her party. “It is the prerogative of the government. A lot of names have been changed recently,” she said.
Responding to recent allegations of medical negligence against the state government, Vadra said Kerala needed stronger healthcare outreach.
“Such instances would not occur if there were sufficient doctors, staff and administrative support. Much more can certainly be done. People should receive better healthcare,” she said.
