The 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season will get underway with a high-octane opener between title holders Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens on March 22. However, the crowd and organizers are on tenterhooks as weather reports indicate heavy rainfall that might upset the eagerly awaited match and its pre-match celebrations.

Weather Forecast: Rain Threatens IPL Opening Ceremony and Match

As per AccuWeather, Kolkata is likely to see a 74% probability of rain in the daytime on March 22, which goes up to a 90% chance in the evening. The weather forecast predicts a chance of “a couple of thunderstorms” in the evening, which is the time the IPL opening ceremony and the match between KKR and RCB are planned. Such weather conditions are worrying as they might lead to delays or even the cancellation of the events.

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Grand Opening Ceremony in Jeopardy

The IPL 2025 opening ceremony, which is scheduled to start at 6 PM IST, has a lot of performances lined up by popular artists such as Punjabi singer-rapper Karan Aujla, Bollywood singer Shreya Ghoshal, and actress Disha Patani. The bad weather is a major risk to these performances, and organizers might have to plan for contingency measures to keep performers and spectators safe.

Match Timing and Possible Impact

The KKR vs. RCB game is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST. Given the strong possibility of thunderstorms in the evening, the game is at risk of being delayed or even a washout. The drainage facilities at the Eden Gardens will be instrumental in deciding the possibility of playing, given that heavy rain might make the outfield unfriendly for play.

Spectators are requested to keep themselves posted about updates in weather forecasts and notifications by the IPL authorities for any alterations in the fixture.

New Rules Introduced in IPL 2025

Amid weather issues, IPL 2025 introduces several rule changes to improve the competitiveness and fairness of the tournament:

Second New Ball to Counter Dew: To counter the problems caused by dew in night matches, second-new-ball options will be available for teams bowling second from the 11th over. This step is to equalize the game by counteracting the disadvantage faced by bowlers because of a wet ball.

Saliva Ban Removed: Bowlers can now use saliva on the ball, a banned practice before due to health and safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The modification enables bowlers to have more control and achieve the desired ball motion.

DRS Expansion: The Decision Review System (DRS) has been extended to cover referrals for height-based no-balls and wides outside the off-stump. Through Hawk-Eye technology and ball tracking, this extension is designed to enhance the accuracy of umpiring decisions.

Continued Impact Player Rule: The Impact Player rule, which allows sides to substitute one player during a game, remains in effect. The rule is utilized for tactical flexibility and offers more opportunities for uncapped players to play.

With the opener of the IPL 2025 season soon to come, all eyes are on Kolkata’s weather. While there is tremendous excitement for the KKR vs. RCB clash, the looming threat of rain, however, hangs heavy and potentially jeopardizes the event. Meanwhile, franchises and fans alike are eagerly hoping for a favorable sky so that the tournament can kick off in style, bringing the thrilling cricketing action for which the IPL is renowned.