Kolkata Knight Riders cannot buy a break. Winless, under pressure, and now facing the very real possibility that Monday’s clash against Punjab Kings at Eden Gardens might not even happen.
Image Source: Sports NDTV
The India Meteorological Department has warned of Kalbaishakhi storms sweeping through Kolkata from Sunday through Thursday, with hail, lightning, and winds of up to 60 kmph expected to batter the city. The intensity is forecast to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday, but Monday’s match sits squarely in the danger zone. Both teams had their eve-of-match practice sessions cancelled after a heavy afternoon downpour left the Eden Gardens outfield waterlogged and under covers.
If rain does intervene, the timeline is unforgiving. A minimum five-over game can only begin if the toss takes place by 10:46 pm. A full washout means both sides share one point each, which would do little for KKR but would hand Punjab Kings a point without breaking sweat.
The cruellest part for KKR is that this is not new. Last season, their corresponding home fixture against Punjab on April 26 was also rained out, with Punjab having posted 201 for 4 before the heavens opened with KKR on 7 for 0. They also had a washout in Bengaluru last year, which dented their playoff push as they eventually finished eighth. Rain has not been kind to this franchise.
Punjab Kings, meanwhile, arrive in Kolkata on the back of two successive wins and sitting at the top of the table. Shreyas Iyer is in the form of his life and his side have the batting firepower to be devastating in a shortened game if it comes to that. A five-over shootout, with no room for consolidation and everything riding on power-hitting, suits Punjab’s lineup far more than KKR’s current combination.
With Cameron Green still not available to bowl, KKR’s combination concerns remain unresolved. Matheesha Pathirana is edging closer to fitness but is not there yet. Their next home game against Lucknow Super Giants also carries a rain forecast, which means KKR could find themselves stuck on zero points with the weather having a say in both.
For a side that needs wins urgently, even the sky is not cooperating.
