Pitch Perfect Pause: Rain Douses IPL Return, Clouds Kohli’s Tribute

Consistent rain in Bengaluru blighted the much-awaited resumption of IPL 2025, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders game being called off without a single ball having been bowled. The game, also acting as tribute night to Virat Kohli following his retirement from Tests, also came after the league had resumed following a 10-day hiatus due to India-Pakistan tensions. Thousands of supporters, clad in white to pay homage to Kohli, were left dejected as weather scuttled hopes of watching the star batsman play once again at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

 

The washout dealt a death blow to KKR's chances of making the playoffs, officially knocking out the defending champions, while RCB stood atop the table at 17 points but are still short of one more win to seal the playoffs spot. The revised IPL schedule now has even greater logistical concerns with rain still loomin' large over future games.

 

Source: Reuters, Times of India, ESPNcricinfo