Known for its high-scoring matches, Eden Gardens is expected to witness a competitive contest. The home side, KKR, currently languishing at ninth on the points table, will be eager to open their account, while PBKS, sitting fourth, aim to extend their winning momentum and maintain a perfect start to the 2026 season.
However, the cricketing action may face an obstacle in the form of rain. The match, scheduled to start at 7:30 PM, could be disrupted as the city has experienced spells of rain and thunderstorms over the past few days.
Weather Forecast During Match Hours
According to AccuWeather, the evening temperature in Kolkata is expected to hover around 24°C, with an 85 per cent chance of precipitation. Showers are likely to intensify as the evening progresses, raising the possibility of delays around the coin toss and during the middle overs. Such interruptions could influence the balance of the contest, potentially giving an edge to one side depending on the conditions.
With no reserve days in the IPL calendar for group-stage matches, officials have only 120 extra minutes to manage interruptions. For a result to be declared, a minimum of 5 overs must be bowled by each side, and this truncated contest must conclude no later than 11:56 PM IST to avoid a washout.
Implications for the Teams
If weather conditions prevent play, both KKR and PBKS will share a point each. For KKR, this could be a missed opportunity to secure two points in front of their home crowd. Yet, given their recent struggles in bowling and in finding a balanced XI, sharing points against an in-form PBKS side led by Shreyas Iyer may not be the worst outcome.
PBKS, on the other hand, will be keen to capitalize on their early-season momentum and collect full points if the match goes ahead without major interruptions.
In the end, the result of this highly anticipated IPL 2026 fixture may well be determined by factors beyond cricket, with fans watching both the pitch and the skies closely.
