Rain may have an impact on Saturday's IPL 2025 season opening between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the reigning champion Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Kolkata.
An orange alert has been issued for the area by the Indian Met Department (IMD) in a bulletin. Up until Saturday, there is a chance of thunderstorms, lightning, and strong gusts along with light to moderate rainfall.
Short rainstorms have hampered Kolkata's preparations for the season opening, as seen by the cancellation of one KKR inter-squad practice match after just one inning. Despite the city experiencing light rain on Wednesday and Thursday, both teams managed to finish their practice sessions.
The Met department has stated that Friday (match eve) and Saturday may see the most rain, which is a major worry for March 22, the day of the season opener.
The match between KKR and RCB is set to begin at 7.30 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. An extra hour of time extension is permitted during the IPL league stage, meaning that a five-over-a-game team must finish before midnight. If there is no outcome, each side will receive one point. Following the match at Eden Gardens, on March 26, KKR will travel to Guwahati to play the Rajasthan Royals, and on March 28, RCB will go to the Chepauk to play the Chennai Super Kings.
The toss will be preceded by an opening ceremony.