Opening night might meet a storm. Kolkata’s Regional Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert for Saturday, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds up to 60 km/h that could disrupt the IPL 2025 curtain-raiser between KKR vs RCB at Eden Gardens. It’s the first IPL opening ceremony in the city since 2015, and the weather is threatening to gatecrash the party.
Orange alert, gusty winds, and a tight window
Forecast models point to a messy build-up. Showers are expected to begin Friday evening and spill into Saturday morning, with a line of storms feeding off a trough from central Odisha to Vidarbha and a wind confluence over east and central India. The India Meteorological Department has flagged the risk of lightning and squally winds as the system brushes sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on March 20–21 and lingers over south Bengal into the weekend.
By late afternoon Saturday, conditions should start to ease. The chance of rain drops to roughly a one-in-four shot by evening, which keeps hopes alive for cricket under lights. The problem? The most likely blip sits uncomfortably close to the showpiece moments: the opening ceremony at 6:15 pm, the toss slated around 7:30–7:40 pm, and the first ball soon after. A short, sharp thunderstorm around 7–8 pm could force delays, trigger a reduced-overs start, or split the night into stop-start segments.
Wind is a separate headache. Forecast gusts of 40–60 km/h can push covers around, blow dust across the square, and complicate high catches. Lightning, if it approaches, will halt proceedings immediately until it’s safe. Even a brief storm can leave a wet sheen on the surface and a slick outfield, which then battle heavy humidity as temperatures hover in the high 20s after sunset.
There’s a silver lining. Eden Gardens has one of the most efficient ground crews in the league. The playing area has been under covers since Thursday, with multiple layers protecting the pitch block and key run-up zones. Super Soppers and upgraded drainage can turn a soaked outfield around quickly once the rain clears. If the radar opens a gap, match officials will look to use every available minute to get the game on.
What it means for the opener: timings, tactics, and the toss
The schedule is packed and tight. The opening ceremony is due at 6:15 pm, and any weather intervention could force a shorter program or a delayed toss. Fireworks or drone segments may be shelved if winds pick up or lightning threatens. Broadcasters and organizers typically build in some flexibility on opening night, but the absolute priority is the match window under the lights.
Expect rapid decisions from the match referee once conditions allow. Reduced-overs cricket is very much on the table if rain trims the clock. Duckworth-Lewis-Stern will govern targets, and captains will plan for fluctuating par scores as the overs count shifts. There’s no reserve day in the league stage. If the evening is washed away entirely, the points will be split.
Strategy will be shaped by moisture and wind. Under covers for long stretches, the pitch can sweat, starting a bit tacky and two-paced before quickening later. That tends to bring seam movement early and make strokeplay patchy until the surface settles. If showers pass and humidity rises, expect the ball to skid and dew to build — great for chasing, awkward for spinners trying to grip a wet ball.
Eden Gardens has usually been a balanced venue, with pace up top and true value for shots once set. In clear conditions, a par total often sits in the 170–185 range, but that target line shifts if overs are cut or the ball stays damp. With DLS lurking, the team batting second often prefers knowing a number; add heavy air and possible dew, and the captain winning the toss is more likely to field first if it’s safe to start.
Selection calls will tilt towards seam-bowling depth and all-rounders who can adapt. Captains may carry an extra quick and a part-time spinner as insurance if the ball won’t grip. In the field, expect larger boundaries to be patrolled deeper if the wind aids lofted hits toward one side. Wicketkeepers and slip cordons may stay busier in the first powerplay if there’s lateral movement under cloud cover.
There’s an added subplot: new leadership on both sides. Ajinkya Rahane takes charge of KKR as defending champions, while Rajat Patidar leads RCB for the first time. On a night like this, calm decision-making and reading the radar matter as much as picking matchups. Choosing when to bowl a frontline quick, timing a spin-over if the ball is too wet, or burning a review when visibility dips — those small margins could decide a fragmented contest.
For the fans, plan like it’s a monsoon cameo. Carry a raincoat or poncho, waterproof your phone, and wear footwear that can handle puddles on the concourses. Many venues restrict hard-tipped umbrellas and large bags, so check stadium advisories before you travel. If thunder is close, seek shelter under the stands and avoid open areas until stewards give the all-clear. The metro and buses usually run on schedule in light rain, but gusts can slow traffic — aim to arrive early to beat bottlenecks at the turnstiles.
Commercially, opening night brings the bells and whistles, but safety calls the shots. Drone shows won’t fly in high wind. Pyrotechnics need clear air. Stage crews can lay non-slip surfaces fast, yet even then performers might face delays if the rain hits right before showtime. Organizers will juggle those choices against the match clock because making room for cricket after a weather break is the top priority.
What are the odds we get a full game? Not bad — but not safe. The worst of the rain is expected to ease by evening, with the probability sliding toward the 25% mark. One passing cell, though, is all it takes to knock the schedule around. If play starts on time, watch for captains trying to sprint through overs to stay ahead of any inbound shower. If there’s a late start, brace for a truncated first innings and the DLS dance under lights.
It’s a dramatic way to launch the 18th season — a sold-out Eden Gardens, the league’s glitz back in Kolkata after a decade, two new captains, and a radar that won’t sit still. If the weather opens a window, even a narrow one, expect the ground crew to pounce, the toss to tilt toward bowling, and the cricket to compress into a high-intensity burst. If not, the points table gets its first asterisk on night one — and the season learns the oldest lesson in sport: sometimes, nature calls the play.
