Kolkata, India — The highly anticipated clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 26, 2025, ended in disappointment as relentless rain forced the match to be abandoned, with both teams sharing a point each.
After winning the toss, PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer chose to bat first. This decision paid off initially as openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya blasted KKR bowlers, putting together a strong partnership of 120 runs. PBKS set a challenging score of 201/4 after their 20 overs, with Arya scoring 69 runs off just 35 balls before getting out to Andre Russell, KKR’s first breakthrough.
Singh continued the assault, ending with an impressive 83 runs off 49 balls, before being caught by Rovman Powell. This left KKR with a daunting target to chase, despite a solid innings from PBKS. Their middle order also chipped in, with Iyer contributing 25 not out, pushing the total to a formidable score.
However, as KKR stepped up for their chase, the weather took a downward turn. Sunil Narine and Rahmanullah Gurbaz only managed to score 7 runs off Marco Jansen’s opening over before rain interrupted play. Despite ground staff’s efforts to protect the pitch, conditions worsened, leading to the match being called off at 10:59 PM IST.
As a result, both teams received one point each from the encounter. This outcome lifted PBKS to fourth place in the IPL standings with 11 points, while KKR remained in seventh position with 7 points. Fans who gathered at Eden Gardens expressed their frustrations over the weather interference, hoping for an exciting match that was abruptly cut short.
Looking forward, KKR’s earned point could play a vital role in their attempts to improve their standings. They are set to face Delhi Capitals on April 29, 2025, in a must-win game. Meanwhile, PBKS will head to Chennai to take on the Super Kings on April 30, 2025, aiming to carry over their batting momentum.
While this match ended in cancellation, the IPL 2025 season is still poised to deliver unexpected thrills in the upcoming matches. As the tournament progresses, fans can anticipate more thrilling encounters, including a doubleheader featuring Mumbai Indians against Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
In summary, the unpredictability of cricket mirrored today’s weather, turning a highly anticipated match into a shared disappointment for both teams and fans alike.
