Gloomy sky, splashes of rain and a not so positive weather forecast meant Eden Gardens – the venue for IPL 2018 Eliminator – remained under covers for the better part of Tuesday and even in the early hours of Wednesday. The murky weather conditions and sprinkles of rain throughout the day have given rise to speculations of a possible washout of the Kolkata Knight Riders-Rajasthan Royals encounter.
There are more than 50 percent chances of rain till 3 PM and it gets reduced to about 33 percent in the evening, making an on-time start a rather optimistic possibility. If the rain continues to play hide and seek, which it has been doing for the last 24 hours, it may become extremely difficult for the match officials to begin the proceedings on time.
Hosts KKR won’t be complaining any bit though. With no reserve day in store, a washout would take KKR straight to the Qualifier 2 at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. The Knights have the advantage as they finished No. 3 on the points table and the IPL rules and regulations say, in case of a washout in a knockout match, the higher rank team in the league stage would go through to the next round.
However, all is not lost for Royals as the MET department is not ready to predict a washout.
“It has been raining since last night and there have been splashes of rain even today but there is a very slim possibility of it causing a washout. The match begins from 7 PM, by then the weather is expected to be better. May be we will have a delayed start,” said an official to Wah Cricket.
The 7 PM start is the only saving grace and this being an Eliminator, the cut-off time for play to begin is 10 past 10. If that is the case, then it will be a six over a side affair, which would be rather unfair on both sides. Having said that, it is at least better than having no play at all.
The winner of the Eliminator will go forward to face Sunrisers on Friday for a spot in the finals against Chennai Super Kings on Sunday.