The much-anticipated IPL 2025 season opener between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on March 22 might face disruptions due to rain.
The weather conditions in Kolkata forced both teams to cut short their practice sessions on Friday, as moderate but persistent showers pushed players indoors. The match, which rekindles the inaugural IPL 2008 rivalry between the two franchises, could see interruptions if the rain persists into Saturday evening.
Kolkata Weather Forecast for March 22, 2025
According to Accuweather.com, rain showers are expected to continue from Friday evening into Saturday morning, creating uncertainty around match conditions. The forecast predicts cloudy skies in the morning with occasional showers, followed by intermittent sunshine later in the day.
The likelihood of rain reducing significantly to 25% by the evening offers hope that the game may proceed as planned.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of thunderstorms and gusty winds ranging from 40-60 kmph in Kolkata due to an anti-cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal. The IMD also forecasts isolated to scattered light-to-moderate rainfall across West Bengal and Sikkim on March 20 and 21.
Match Timing and Team Squads
The KKR vs RCB match is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on March 22, with the toss scheduled at 7:00 PM IST.
Both teams boast strong squads, with KKR featuring players like Ajinkya Rahane, Rinku Singh, Quinton de Kock, Andre Russell, and Sunil Narine, while RCB has stalwarts such as Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar (captain), Devdutt Padikkal, Tim David, and Liam Livingstone.
If the rain holds off, fans can expect an exciting contest to kick off IPL 2025. However, all eyes will be on the weather as cricket enthusiasts hope for uninterrupted action at Eden Gardens.
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