Kolkata Knight Riders’ quest for their first win of IPL 2026 could face a major setback, with rain likely to spoil their clash against Punjab Kings at the Eden Gardens on Monday. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rain is likely to affect the match, raising fears of a shortened match or even a complete washout.The weather adds to KKR’s early season woes.KKR, yet to open their account this season, are already under pressure, and poor weather conditions could complicate their campaign further. Their next match against Lucknow Supergiants at the same venue is also rained out, making it a difficult phase for the franchise.
Interestingly, last season the match between KKR and PBKS was also affected by rain. Punjab Kings posted 201/4 before KKR reached 7/0, with the two teams eventually sharing a point after the match ended.The IMD forecast indicates stormy conditions.The IMD has attributed the unsettled weather to a low pressure trough extending from Bihar to Manipur, passing through North Bengal, Assam and Bangladesh.“The state is likely to witness another round of Cyclone Kalbishakhi with hail and thundershowers from Sunday to Thursday. Intensification and spread of rain is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday,” the IMD said.“The weather is expected to become more severe on Tuesday, when Cyclone Kalbishakhi will bring winds of 50-60 kmph, lightning and rain is likely to affect Kolkata and adjoining areas.” Persistent cloud cover and heavy rain have already affected preparations, with both teams’ practice sessions leading up to the match being canceled due to rain. The Eden Gardens outfield remained under cover, with visible water marks.Limited window for resultsWith rain threatening to disrupt proceedings, match officials will have a narrow window to ensure a result. A game of at least five overs can be played only if the game starts at 10:56 PM, with the toss having to be after 10:46 PM. Such a short contest will likely turn into a high-intensity shootout, which favors aggressive batting a lot.However, in case no play is possible within the allotted time, the match will be abandoned with one point for both teams. While Punjab Kings will look to continue their strong start, Kolkata Knight Riders will be desperate to register their first win. But with the weather forecast looming large, the outcome could ultimately depend on circumstances beyond either team’s control.
