The sky over Kolkata is currently overcast. The opening ceremony of the IPL is set to begin at 6:00 PM, with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) facing off against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in their first match of the season, starting at 7:30 PM. However, there is a forecast for rain during that time
Kolkata is eagerly waiting for Shah Rukh Khan to host the opening ceremony. But there are concerns that this moment may be disrupted due to the weather. Rain has been falling in various parts of the city since Saturday morning, with the sky remaining cloudy throughout the day. The opening ceremony will begin at 6:00 PM, and the KKR vs. RCB match is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM, but rain is expected during that time as well.
The Alipore Meteorological Department has predicted thunderstorms and rain for Kolkata on Saturday. The rain could intensify in the evening, with gusty winds expected in some areas, potentially reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour. The weather department has indicated that rain will persist for the next 24 hours, but continuous heavy rainfall is not expected, which brings some hope.
If it rains during the match, there is a chance the game might be canceled. However, the drainage system at Eden Gardens stadium is a source of confidence. The stadium is equipped with a system that can quickly cover the entire field. So even if there is heavy rain, it is expected that the match can resume quickly once the rain stops.
In the case of rain affecting the game, the number of overs will be reduced, but a minimum of 5 overs must be played for the match to proceed. According to the rules, the game must conclude by 12:06 AM. This means that if a 5-over match is required, it must begin by 10:56 PM at the latest. If the match cannot take place at all, both teams will receive one point each.
