The KKR vs RCB IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens faces a rain threat as IMD has issued weather warnings. Find out what happens if the matches in 2025 Indian Premier League get washed out.
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The much-anticipated opening match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens is set to take place on Saturday, 22 March. Ajinkya Rahane will captain defending champions KKR, while Rajat Patidar takes the reins of RCB to lead for the first time in IPL.
Meanwhile, the
KKR vs RCB match is under a looming threat of rain. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds over Kolkata on 21 and 22 March. These conditions are expected to bring unstable weather, raising concerns over potential rain interruptions during the IPL 2025 opener.
What happens if IPL 2025 matches get washed out?
In case of persistent rain that prevents even a shortened contest, the IPL regulations dictate that the match will be abandoned, and both teams will share the points. Unlike playoffs or finals, where a reserve day is scheduled, league-stage matches do not have such a provision. Therefore, if the worst happens and the match is completely washed out, KKR and RCB will get one point each.
The opening ceremony is scheduled to start at 6:00 PM IST. The match is slated to kick off at 7:30 PM IST with the toss taking place at 7:00 PM.
How will rain in Kolkata impact the opening ceremony?
Apart from the match,
IPL 2025’s star-studded opening ceremony, featuring performances from renowned artists like Shreya Ghoshal, Karan Aujla, and Disha Patani, is also at risk. The organisers have planned a grand spectacle to kick off the season, but inclement weather may lead to delays or even cancellations of some or all performances.
After their season opener at Eden Gardens, KKR will head to Guwahati to take on Rajasthan Royals on 26 March, while RCB will travel to Chennai to face Chennai Super Kings at Chepauk on 28 March. Both KKR and RCB will look to kick off their IPL 2025 campaign on a positive note and hence a win in their first game will be crucial.