The Indian Premier League (IPL) will resume on May 17, 2025, following a week-long interruption in view of growing tensions between India and Pakistan, which forced the cancellation of a number of matches, including the much-awaited RCB vs LSG match previously planned for May 10. The tournament was interrupted with air raid alerts in the course of a Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match on May 8, forcing the BCCI to suspend the tournament.

Both sides had already met each other in the tournament opener on 22 March at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, where RCB had defeated KKR by 3 runs in a tight game, with 77 of Virat Kohli from 49 deliveries proving to be the decisive factor. With the IPL back on schedule, Match 58 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is much-awaited, and competitive cricket returns there during heavy rain, though the stadium's good drainage system holds out promise of play.

The match at 7:30 PM IST is threatened by deluges of rain in Bengaluru. Nevertheless, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium's state-of-the-art drainage facilities will likely counter delays. For a 5-over match, the cut-off is 10:50 PM IST, with at least 5 overs per side making a match. Rain continuing, the cut-off for a 10-over match is 10:20 PM IST, and for a standard 20-over match, it's 9:50 PM IST. These are strategic timings since both teams compete for valuable points in the playoff table, with RCB placed 4th with 16 points from 11 games and KKR 6th with 11 points from 12 games, so this is a must-win for KKR if they want to sustain their hopes for a top-four finish.

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Previous Encounter and Current Standings

In their March 22 opener, RCB posted 182/6, with Kohli’s knock steering them to a 3-run victory over KKR’s 179/8, despite Andre Russell’s late flurry. Now, RCB, with 16 points, are well-positioned for playoffs, while KKR, with 11 points, need a win to stay in contention. This resumption game, amidst rain and geopolitical backdrop, promises high stakes and intense competition, with M. Chinnaswamy’s drainage system and cut-off times playing pivotal roles in determining the outcome.

The 55th match of the IPL 2025 season, featuring Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Delhi Capitals (DC), will be remembered as a disappointing affair for both fans and players, after rain kept on falling on the field and a wet outfield caused the game to be abandoned without SRH needing to bat or having the chance to chase. The game was played at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad in what was an important game for both sides to try to revive their campaigns. The game had plenty of potential; however, the weather dictated the outcome, resulting in both sides receiving a point.

Delhi Capitals, who were put in to bat first, struggled to get going, as the SRH pace attack fronted by Pat Cummins took early control of the innings. Without a single player getting to double figures except Ashutosh Sharma (41 off 26), DC found themselves at 29/5 from the early onslaught of Cummins. The Aussie would finish with impressive figures of 31-3-19. But then a counter-attacking partnership between Tristan Stubbs (41* off 36) and Ashutosh Sharma somehow gave Delhi a fighting chance to compete with 133 runs, finishing at 133/7 after 20 overs.

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Rain Denies SRH, Playoff Dreams Shattered

Unfortunately for SRH, the weather turned against them during the innings break. It was one short of impossible for the umpires to get a clear view of play when inspections kept ruling that the outfield wasn't fit to play. The umpires kept making delays, with the end of inspections not looking good for SRH. After a long interruption, the match was officially abandoned.

By not finishing this match, SRH were officially eliminated from the playoff race. With just three wins out of 11, SRH remain at the bottom of the table and were not able to build up enough momentum over the season. Their inconsistencies and inability to finish off games have come back to cost them time and time again.

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For the Delhi Capitals, they have now moved up to fifth place, and they will stay in with a chance of making the playoffs with this one point as they now continue to focus on their remaining fixtures in the hope of moving into the top four as the league phase starts to draw to a close. 

This was a big disappointment for SRH, but for Delhi Capitals, this could be hugely significant in a very competitive race for the playoffs. In the end, with every point so important at the conclusion of IPL 2025, it's very possible that this abandoned match could even be crucial for the Delhi Capitals.

As per live weather reports from the iconic Eden Gardens, the Kolkata Knight Riders vs. Mumbai Indians game has been delayed due to bad weather. It’ll take about 75 minutes for the ground to clear up. 10:56pm local is the latest a five-over game can start.

Weather Conditions at Eden Gardens

The iconic Eden Gardens, known for its passionate cricketing atmosphere, is shrouded in inclement weather. Persistent heavy rains and thunderstorms have engulfed the stadium, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the scheduled match. Despite brief interruptions, the lousy weather shows no signs of relenting, posing a challenge to the players and organizers alike.

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Stakes for Kolkata Knight Riders

For Kolkata Knight Riders, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Currently positioned at the top of the IPL standings with 16 points from 11 matches, a victory in this encounter would solidify their spot in the playoffs.

Mumbai Indians’ Opportunity

Despite facing elimination from the tournament, Mumbai Indians have a golden opportunity to play spoilsport for KKR. A win against the table-toppers would dent their playoff aspirations and be a morale-boosting conclusion to their IPL campaign. With nothing to lose, MI enters the fray, intending to upset the apple cart.

Consequences of Rain Interruption

As the rain persists, speculation mounts regarding the match’s possible outcomes. If the weather continues to play spoilsport, the game could be abandoned, leading to a shared point for both teams. Such an outcome would have far-reaching implications for the IPL playoff race, creating a ripple effect across the points table.

Impact on Playoff Race

The scenario of a match abandonment presents a problem for IPL teams vying for playoff berths. For KKR, a shared point would propel them to 17 points in 12 matches, placing them in a favorable position for playoff qualification. Conversely, teams like Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants would find their playoff hopes dimmed, unable to catch up to KKR’s tally.