We are ready for the IPL 2025 as Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (KKR vs RCB) will face each other in the tournament opener on Saturday (March 22) evening at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. However, the weather forecast is a big concern for the cricket fans. 

IPL 2025 opener set with grand opening ceremony before the KKR vs RCB match

Defending champions KKR is ready to host RCB in the first game of the IPL 2025. This match has been scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM local time. Before the match, there is also a grand opening ceremony where the KKR co-owner Shah Rukh Khan will start the ceremony, and the Bollywood singer Shreya Ghosal, Bollywood actress Disha Patani, and Punjabi singer Karan Aujla will also perform along with a state-of-the-art Anamorphic Projection between 6:10 PM and almost 6:45 PM. Just before the toss, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) officials and captains will officially start the tournament following a celebration, fireworks, and photo shoot. 

See Also: IPL 18 Opening Ceremony: A Grand Celebration Minute by Minute

Orange alert for the IPL 2025 opener

All the plans are set, but the rain forecast is threatening all the plans for the IPL 2025 opener. The Indian Meteorological Department has issued an "orange alert" for Friday and Saturday (March 21 and 22) in several districts of West Bengal, including Kolkata. There is a threat of thunder squalls, gusty winds, lightning, hail, and moderate rainfall. 

Kolkata has been experiencing light and moderate rainfall since Friday

Kolkata experienced light and moderate rainfall on Friday, and also early Saturday. Although the present moment sees a good sunny condition, the weather forecast suggests a significant light to moderate rain threat on Saturday evening in Kolkata, mostly between 6 PM and 10 PM. 

Eden Garden has powerful management to fight against weather

While Eden Gardens has a strong drainage system and the strong ability to cover the stadium properly, the light to moderate rain threat isn't actually a big issue. If the weather gets clear, the stadium management doesn't take much time to make the ground available for the game. However, the rain forecast can hamper the opening ceremony plan massively.  

The league stage of the IPL can be extended for an hour. If a match can't be available to run for a minimum of five overs in each innings, it ends with no result where both teams earn one point each.