Even as fans eagerly wait for IPL 2025 to kickstart, the opening game at the storied venue of the Eden Gardens in Kolkata could turn out to be a damp squib. With weather forecast set to be grim on March 22, Saturday, the game could be washed out, dashing the fan's expectations of both Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
With the match set to begin at 8:00 pm IST, Accuweather has predicted the climate to be cloudy with a couple of thunderstorms to grace its presence in Kolkata. The cloud cover is expected to be 95%, while the probability of precipitation is 90% that night. The toss is highly likely to be delayed and the best fans may hope for is a shortened contest.
Kolkata weather for March 22, 2025. | (Credits: Accuweather)
The Knight Riders are the defending champions, having won their third title last year by defeating the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the final by eight wickets in Chennai. Hence, the Eden Gardens will not only host the opening match but is also slated to stage the final.
KKR are ahead in head-to-head battle against RCB
Meanwhile, the Knight Riders are ahead in head-to-head battle as they have won 20 matches out of 34 contested between the two sides thus far since 2008.
They had memorably locked horns in the 2008 edition when Brendon McCullum's 73-ball 158* lifted Kolkata to 222 and they eventually won by 140 runs. RCB are also hunting their first title, having fallen short thrice in the final.
