The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is all set to begin on Saturday, March 22 with the first match being played at Eden Gardens with an exciting clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Both teams will begin a new chapter with fresh leadership, as KKR will be led by Ajinkya Rahane, while Rajat Patidar takes on the captaincy for RCB.
It is sad but the weather of Kolkata might play a spoilsport! It remains one of the major concerns for the season opener. According to the weather reports, there is a high chance of rain and thunderstorms on match day. The forecast predicts thunderstorms during the daytime, with cloudy and humid conditions expected to persist.
Also the regional Meteorological Centre of Kolkata has issued an orange alert for the region, warning of thunderstorms with lightning. These conditions, coupled with gusty winds, could pose challenges for the match. The rain is expected to begin on Friday evening and extend into Saturday morning, potentially affecting the start of the game. However, there is a chance that the weather will improve later in the day, with the precipitation likelihood reducing to 25% by the evening, allowing for a possible resumption of play.
The India Meteorological Department has also predicted thunderstorms and winds ranging from 40-60 km/h across Kolkata until March 22, due to an anti-cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal. This weather system might cause delays or interruptions, and fans will have to stay tuned for updates.
Pitch reportThe Eden Gardens pitch traditionally offers a balanced surface, favoring both batsmen and bowlers. With the humid conditions expected on the day, the bowlers, especially spinners, might have the edge in the initial overs. However, as the match progresses, the pitch could flatten out, providing ample opportunities for the batsmen to score freely.
As the IPL 2025 opener awaits, both KKR and RCB will be looking to make a strong start to the season. However, the unpredictable weather in Kolkata could result in delays or a reduced match, so fans will need to keep an eye on weather updates as the match progresses.