Kolkata, March 22, 2025 – As the excitement builds for the Indian Premier League's (IPL) 2025 opening match, concerns loom over inclement weather that may affect the clash between the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) at Eden Gardens.
The Alipur weather office has issued a forecast indicating light to moderate rainfall across several districts of South Bengal, including Kolkata. Since Friday evening, intermittent rain has made its presence felt in the city, prompting worries among cricket fans looking forward to the first match of the season, set to kick off at 7:30 PM on Saturday.
Weather predictions suggest that on Saturday, March 22, various regions, including Howrah, Hooghly, North and South 24 Parganas, East and West Medinipur, Jhargram, Purulia, Bankura, and others, could experience rain with potential thunderstorms. The weather bureau noted a 49 percent chance of rain during the evening hours, which could disrupt not just the match but also the pre-game festivities, including a highly anticipated opening ceremony featuring stars like Shreya Ghoshal and Disha Patani.
As for the players, the adverse weather conditions have already hindered the practice sessions for both KKR and RCB. The latter, known for its fiery batters, and KKR, bolstered by the star power of its owner, Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, are now grappling with the potential for rain to spoil their spotlight moment.
“We have prepared well, but the weather is out of our control,” shared a KKR official, acknowledging the challenges posed by the weather. Despite the preparations, the team has faced interruptions in their squad matches recently due to the rain.
The opening match also raises questions concerning IPL’s tournament rules regarding rain delays and match cancellations. According to the tournament regulations, there are no reserve days for group matches, including the inaugural match, a stipulation meant to encourage timely gameplay. Only playoff games and the final have the luxury of a reserve day.
If the match is delayed or curtailed by rain, it must be ensured that at least five overs are bowled for a valid result. The cut-off time for completing a five-over game is set for 10:56 PM, with the complete match needing to conclude by 11:15 PM the next day, as stipulated by IPL rules.
There’s also the question of how points will be awarded in the event of a rain-out. If rain prevents the game from reaching completion, both teams will be awarded a point each, fostering a spirit of fairness in this tightly contested league.
The Indian Meteorological Department has indicated a “Kamala Satarkata” or Orange Alert for Kolkata, warning of possible thunderstorms, strong winds reaching speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour, and intense rainfall at various intervals across South Bengal, including districts like Nadia, Birbhum, Murshidabad, East Burdwan, and the 24 Parganas.
Shah Rukh Khan's presence adds a touch of glamour to the occasion, and the Bollywood superstar, who is a co-owner of KKR, was expected to be present for the opening show. Unfortunately, due to weather conditions, his rehearsal was canceled as rain approached. In a previous statement, weather expert Sourosh Bandyopadhyay noted that rain would not be continuous but sporadic, allowing some hope for the match to proceed smoothly.
“It's hard to predict exactly when the rain will come,” Bandyopadhyay remarked, illustrating the unpredictability that comes with such weather systems. Regardless, fans remain hopeful that rain will stay away from the highly charged atmosphere of Eden Gardens.
As match day approaches, the excitement of the IPL is intermixed with the foreboding of possible rain. Fans are taking to social media, expressing their hopes and fears about the upcoming match: “Will rain spoil the IPL opener?” “What will happen if we don’t get to see our favorite players?”
The culmination of planning, dedication, and anticipation hangs in the balance, with fans and players alike now left wondering whether nature will cooperate for this grand sporting spectacle.
In summary, while the rich history and the thrilling promise of IPL captivates cricket enthusiasts around the globe, the impending weather presents a compelling subplot. The cricketing community watches closely as the time ticks down toward the first game of the IPL 2025 season.
