The Indian Premier League is set to kick off with a highly anticipated match between the Kolkata Knight Riders and the Royal Challengers Bangalore. But there’s a twist – the weather in Kolkata is looking bleak. Rain is forecasted for Saturday evening, which could potentially disrupt the game.
Weather Woes
The meteorological department is predicting a rainy Saturday evening, which might force the teams to take drastic measures. If the downpour is heavy, the match could be cancelled altogether. The rain has already affected the players’ practice sessions, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the game.
The AccuWeather report suggests that there’s a high chance of rain between 11 am and 12 pm on Saturday. The skies will likely be cloudy, with a possibility of light showers until 5-6 pm. If the rain hits during the opening ceremony, scheduled for 6 pm, it could throw a spanner in the works.
Ground Conditions
The Eden Gardens staff has been working tirelessly to protect the field from the rain. On Friday evening, the ground was covered with tarpaulins to prevent waterlogging. The staff is on high alert, ensuring that the field is ready for the big game. However, the weather remains a significant concern, not just for the players but also for the fans who are eagerly awaiting the match.
Team Lineups
Here are the predicted XII for both teams:
- Kolkata Knight Riders: Sunil Narine, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Ajinkya Rahane (captain), Venkatesh Iyer, Anukul Roy, Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Spencer Johnson, Vaibhav Arora, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakravarthy
- Royal Challengers Bangalore: Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (captain), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wicketkeeper), Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma/Rasikh Dar
The stage is set for an exciting match, but the weather could be the ultimate decider. Will the rain play spoilsport, or will the teams get to clash in a thrilling encounter? Only time will tell.