The worst nightmare for RCB and CSK fans came true just after the match began at Chinnaswamy Stadium, as rain arrived in Bengaluru to halt proceedings following an entertaining start. Chennai Super Kings won the toss and opted to bowl first on a ground known for being favorable to chasing teams.

Match Interrupted Just as Virat Kohli and Faf du Plessis Get Going

They were hoping for an early breakthrough, but Virat Kohli, in superb form from the onset, partnered with Faf du Plessis to take RCB to 31 runs at the end of three overs before the rain stopped the play.

See Also: Milestones set to be achieved in RCB vs CSK, IPL 2024

Most runs at a venue in IPL
3005* V Kohli at Chinnaswamy
2295 Rohit Sharma at Wankhede
1960 AB de Villiers at Chinnaswamy

Virat Kohli on 18th May in IPL
56*(29) vs CSK Bengaluru 2013
27(29) vs CSK Ranchi 2015
113(50) vs PK Bengaluru 2016
100(63) vs SRH Hyderabad 2023

Latest Weather Update

The big cover still remains, the rain has definitely stopped though and we should have a restart soon. The 4th umpire has taken charge, the areas around the covers are being dried and once it’s done, they’ll probably start removing the big sheets covering the pitch. Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli are back into the dug-out and that’s a positive sign.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (Playing XI): Faf du Plessis(c), Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, Rajat Patidar, Cameron Green, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik(w), Karn Sharma, Yash Dayal, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Siraj

Royal Challengers Bengaluru Impact Subs: Swapnil Singh, Anuj Rawat, Suyash Prabhudessai, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Himanshu Sharma

Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Daryl Mitchell, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w), Mitchell Santner, Shardul Thakur, Tushar Deshpande, Simarjeet Singh, Maheesh Theekshana

Chennai Super Kings Impact Subs: Shivam Dube, Sameer Rizvi , Prashant Solanki, Shaik Rasheed, Mukesh Choudhary

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.

See Also: England pacer James Anderson confirms his retirement date

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.