The IPL 2025 commences on March 22 with KKR taking on RCB in Kolkata.
A continuous drizzle in the evening cut short the Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru's evening practice sessions on the eve of their IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday, March 22.
The practice began as anticipated at 5 pm, but rain fell around 6 pm, forcing the ground staff to take action as the players packed up. Fortunately, Eden Gardens is one of the few sites with full ground cover, which ensured the playing surface was covered.
The Indian Meteorological Department's New Alipore office has issued an "orange alert" for Friday and Saturday, predicting thunder, squalls, strong winds, lightning, hailstorms, and moderate rainfall in numerous districts, including Kolkata.
"Thundersqualls with gusty winds, lightning, hailstorms, and light to moderate rainfall are likely in Jhargram, Purba and Paschim Midnapore, Bankura, Purulia, Purba Bardhaman, Hooghly, and Howrah on Friday," the IMD stated.
On Saturday, thunderstorms with gusty gusts, lightning, and moderate rainfall are expected in Nadia, Birbhum, Murshidabad, Purba Bardhaman, and North and South 24 Parganas.
The match begins at 7.30 pm, with the toss scheduled for 7 pm. A magnificent opening ceremony starring Shreya Ghoshal and Disha Patani, among others, is scheduled for 6 pm, but it remains to be seen whether the weather will play a spoiler.
As per the IPL regulations, matches the in league stage can be extended for one hour, meaning the cut-off time for a five-over match is 10:56 pm, with play needing to conclude by 12:06 a.m.
(PTI inputs)