Heavy rain and thunderstorms could disrupt the season opener in Kolkata; here’s the full weather forecast and what it means for both teams.
March 22, 2025: Kolkata – The grand opening of the IPL 2025 season, featuring Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, faces a major rain threat. With an orange alert in place and forecasts predicting thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, fans and organisers alike are bracing for a potential washout on Saturday, March 22.
Also Read: IPL 2025: “Hyderabad Is Match-Ready — With 3,000 Cops, We’re Leaving Nothing to Chance”
⚠️ What’s the Weather Forecast?
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Kolkata region is likely to experience:
- Scattered rain and thunderstorms
- Strong winds and lightning
- High humidity (~65%)
- Temperatures ranging from 22°C to 29°C
A trough from central Odisha to Vidarbha, combined with wind convergence and a Bay of Bengal anticyclone, is creating unstable weather patterns across eastern India.
A little rain won’t stop us! 🌧
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 21, 2025
The ground’s got its cozy cover, and the drainage system will be ready to save the day 𝘒𝘺𝘶𝘯𝘬𝘪 𝘠𝘦𝘩 𝘐𝘗𝘓 𝘩𝘢𝘪, 𝘺𝘢𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘢𝘣 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘪!#IPLonJioStar 👉 SEASON OPENER #KKRvRCB | SAT, 22nd March, 5:30 PM | LIVE on… pic.twitter.com/UwdonS9FeN
📅 Hour-by-Hour Breakdown (AccuWeather):
- Morning (6 AM – 12 PM): Overcast with up to 66% chance of rain. Could hamper match-day preparations and the opening ceremony setup.
- Afternoon (12 PM – 6 PM): Clouds with occasional sun. Rain chances drop to 25%, offering slight hope.
- Evening (6 PM – 11 PM): Match toss at 7:00 PM IST, play from 7:30 PM. Rain chances at toss: 10%, but rise again to 70% by 11 PM, risking interruptions or an incomplete game.
Due to this, ground covers have been in place since Thursday, and Friday’s practice sessions were moved indoors due to rain.
🎤 What If KKR vs RCB Is Washed Out?
- No reserve day is allotted for IPL group matches.
- A complete washout would mean both teams get one point each.
- A shortened match could be possible depending on how much time is lost, thanks to Eden Gardens’ modern drainage system.
This would be an anti-climactic start, especially with the opening ceremony featuring Shreya Ghoshal, Disha Patani, and Karan Aujla, and the presence of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expected.
🏏 What’s at Stake?
- KKR, led by Ajinkya Rahane, are defending champions.
- RCB, under new captain Rajat Patidar, are still chasing their elusive first IPL title.
- Big names like Virat Kohli, Andre Russell, and Quinton de Kock are set to clash—weather permitting.
Historically a batting paradise, Eden Gardens could turn bowler-friendly if the pitch stays under covers too long, adding another twist to an already unpredictable fixture.
Tags: IPL 2025, KKR vs RCB, Kolkata weather, Eden Gardens rain, IPL opener washout, Ajinkya Rahane, Rajat Patidar, IPL points rule, opening ceremony, IMD alert, thunderstorm warning, IPL rain rules, IPL live updates, Shreya Ghoshal, Disha Patani