IPL 2025 will start on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. A grand opening ceremony will also take place, featuring performances by Disha Patani and Shreya Ghoshal. Fans are excited not only for the match but also for the grand opening ceremony.
IMD Predicts Heavy Rain on Match Day
However, just a day before the big game, worrying news has emerged. Heavy rain could completely wash out the match. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for the day.
Special Bulletin 4
— IMD Kolkata (@ImdKolkata) March 21, 2025
Thunderstorm activity over the districts of West Bengal during 21 th to 22nd March 2025. pic.twitter.com/VmsPPwbIPJ
Weather officials have forecasted thunderstorms and rain in South Bengal from Thursday to Sunday. On March 22, an Orange Alert warns of severe weather, while a Yellow Alert is in place for Sunday.
KKR vs. LSG Match Moved to Guwahati
Meanwhile, another match at Eden Gardens has already been relocated. KKR's home game against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on April 6 will now take place in Guwahati. The Kolkata Police said they couldn’t provide security due to Ram Navami celebrations in the city.
Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Snehasish Ganguly confirmed the change. He explained, "We informed the BCCI about rescheduling, but since Kolkata can't host the game later, it is shifting to Guwahati."
The decision follows an announcement by BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari that over 20,000 processions will take place across West Bengal for the festival. This large-scale celebration makes it difficult to ensure security at the stadium.
Fans Disappointed Over Venue Change
The KKR vs. LSG clash was expected to attract a massive crowd. Both teams have strong fan support in the region. However, with the match moving to Guwahati, fans in Kolkata will miss another major IPL battle.
Now, all eyes are on the weather. Fans and officials hope the rain spares the much-awaited IPL 2025 opener.