With rain forecast and training sessions already disrupted, Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s hopes of securing 16 points could be washed away in their key IPL 2025 clash against eliminated Chennai Super Kings.
Bengaluru, May 3: Rain threatens to play spoilsport in one of the most anticipated fixtures of IPL 2025 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) prepare to host Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday. With a win, RCB could climb to the top of the table with 16 points—but persistent showers could dash those hopes.
Bengaluru has been experiencing relentless rain over the last two days, and according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), there is no respite expected on match day either. “Rain or thundershowers would occur towards afternoon or evening,” IMD noted in its latest forecast.
Both teams’ pre-match training was significantly affected on Friday. CSK managed just 45 minutes of on-field practice before the rain halted proceedings, resuming briefly at 4:30 PM. RCB’s session began around 5 PM, with Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal spending close to an hour at the nets—only for a thunderstorm to force a complete cancellation of further training. The downpour lasted over three hours, causing waterlogging in several parts of the city.
Chennai Super Kings, the five-time IPL champions, are already out of playoff contention with just two wins from ten games, languishing at the bottom of the points table. In contrast, RCB—currently in third place—are on the verge of making the playoffs, with seven wins in ten games. A win against CSK would have taken them to the top of the table, tied at 16 points with Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians.
Bengaluru has already seen one rain-shortened game this season, when the RCB vs Punjab Kings fixture was reduced to 14 overs per side. The city’s unpredictable weather could now affect another critical tie.
RCB and CSK last faced each other in Bengaluru during a thrilling clash in 2024, where RCB edged CSK by 27 runs in a do-or-die match that propelled them into the playoffs. Earlier this season, RCB broke their long-standing Chepauk jinx with a dominant 50-run win over CSK—marking their first win at the venue since 2008.
As fans and players await a decisive game, all eyes are now on the skies.