A dramatic turn of events unfolded during the IPL 2025 clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 26, when a massive sandstorm, followed by rain disrupted the match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. The storm, which struck the venue shortly after the match began, led to chaos on the field. Posters, banners, and flags were blown onto the pitch, and the heavy winds made it almost impossible for the groundsmen to properly cover the field, with some even falling while trying to secure the covers.
The match was off to an exciting start when PBKS, after winning the toss, opted to bat first and posted a competitive total of 201 runs. Their openers, Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, played key roles in setting the foundation for the big total. However, the game took an unexpected turn as the sandstorm swept across the ground, causing significant disruptions.
As the KKR team came out to chase the target of 202, the opening over, bowled by Marco Jansen for PBKS, was interrupted by the strong winds. The storm was followed by rain, leading the umpires to halt play after just one over of KKR’s chase. The situation at Eden Gardens was chaotic, with strong winds continuing to ravage the stadium. The groundsmen had to put all their effort into preventing the covers from flying off, even sitting on them to keep them weighed down.
During this disruption, KKR’s openers, Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Sunil Narine, had managed to score 7 runs off Jansen's first over. With the rain delay, the match was expected to be reduced, potentially favoring KKR given their home advantage.
The game was marked by unusual scenes, with PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer resorting to covering his mouth with his jersey to shield himself from the dust and sand during the storm. As the players struggled against nature's fury, the fans were left waiting for updates, wondering if the storm would lead to a rain-reduced match and how the weather would affect the outcome.
Stay updated with the latest developments and match details for IPL 2025 through sources like India Today. Fans can also follow schedules, live scores, and the latest points table for teams such as CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR, as well as track the top contenders for the Orange and Purple Caps.
