KKR vs RCB IPL 2025: Eden Gardens Weather Update – Will Rain Disrupt the Season Opener?
The highly anticipated IPL 2025 season opener between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens faces a potential rain threat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Kolkata on March 22, raising concerns among fans and organizers.
Weather Conditions at Eden Gardens
Kolkata has been experiencing continuous rainfall for the past few days. On Friday, the training sessions of both KKR and RCB had to be canceled due to the downpour. Even on Saturday morning, rain showers were observed in some parts of the city. Though the skies remained overcast throughout the day, there is a glimmer of hope as the sun has made an appearance closer to the match time.
IPL 2025 Opening Ceremony & Match Timings
- Opening Ceremony: 6:00 PM IST
- Toss Timing: 7:00 PM IST
- Match Start: 7:30 PM IST
With the grand opening ceremony scheduled just before the match, the unpredictable weather has put additional pressure on the event organizers.
KKR vs RCB: Probable Playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB):
- Phil Salt
- Virat Kohli
- Rajat Patidar (C)
- Liam Livingstone
- Jitesh Sharma (Wk)
- Krunal Pandya
- Tim David
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Yash Dayal
- Josh Hazlewood
- Suyash Sharma
Impact Player: Rasikh Salam / Devdutt Padikkal
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR):
- Sunil Narine
- Quinton de Kock (Wk)
- Ajinkya Rahane (C)
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Venkatesh Iyer
- Rinku Singh
- Andre Russell
- Ramandeep Singh
- Harshit Rana
- Spencer Johnson
- Varun Chakaravarthy
Impact Player: Vaibhav Arora
KKR’s Opening Match Record in IPL
KKR has played six season-opening IPL matches in history, winning five of them. They have a strong track record in season openers and will look to maintain their dominance in the first game of IPL 2025.
RCB’s Fan Craze at Eden Gardens
Despite this being a home match for KKR, RCB fans have shown up in massive numbers, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The presence of Virat Kohli has further amplified the excitement, with chants of his name echoing through the stands.
Eden Gardens: A Special Venue for Rajat Patidar
For RCB captain Rajat Patidar, Eden Gardens holds sentimental value. In IPL 2022, Patidar scored a stunning 112 off 54 balls against LSG in the Eliminator, marking his arrival as a big-match player. Now, as he begins his IPL captaincy journey at the same venue, all eyes will be on him.
Will Spencer Johnson Replace Anrich Nortje?
With South African pacer Anrich Nortje recovering from an injury, Australian left-arm quick Spencer Johnson is likely to be included in the playing XI. His ability to bring variety with his left-arm pace makes him a strong contender.
What Happens if the Match Gets Washed Out?
If rain forces the match to be abandoned, both KKR and RCB will receive one point each in the IPL points table.
Why is Kolkata Under Orange Alert?
The current weather instability is due to a trough extending from Odisha to Vidarbha, combined with an anticyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal. These conditions have led to continuous showers in West Bengal, putting the IPL 2025 opener at risk.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Message to KKR
As always, KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan has extended his best wishes to the team, especially welcoming new captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Chandrakant Pandit. His presence at Eden Gardens is expected to boost team morale.
Kolkata Weather: Latest Update
As of now, the sun is shining, but dark clouds are still visible over the stadium. If heavy showers stay away, the match will proceed as scheduled, thanks to Eden Gardens’ top-notch drainage system.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates on IPL 2025, including live scores, points table, and performance updates for the Orange Cap and Purple Cap holders!
