
IPL 2025: Rain threat looms large as toss between RCB vs KKR delayed
Bengaluru: The toss between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in match 58 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 was delayed due to heavy rain at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The 2025 IPL season resumes after a brief suspension due to India-Pakistan border tensions. However, the revised schedule has come at a cost, with several overseas stars unavailable for the remainder of the season owing to international duties and personal reasons, potentially impacting team combinations in the playoff race.
KKR, currently on 11 points with two matches remaining, face a do-or-die scenario. A washout in Bengaluru could end their playoff hopes, as a shared point would mean they can only reach a maximum of 14—likely insufficient for qualification.
They've already endured one no-result earlier this season against Punjab Kings. Meanwhile, RCB have more breathing room; even in case of rain affecting the outcome, they still have a viable shot at making the playoffs, and potentially securing a top-two finish.
Bengaluru has already seen one rain-shortened fixture this year, with their match against PBKS reduced to 14 overs per side.
The rescheduling of IPL 2025 could impact more than just a handful of matches. Bengaluru, which is set to host another game on May 23 between RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), remains under the radar with rain threats looming.
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, already having experienced weather disruptions earlier in the season, may face fresh challenges. Meanwhile, Mumbai—where unseasonal rainfall has been reported over the past week—is slated to host a key fixture between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC) on May 21. With the playoff race heating up, any further washouts could significantly alter the qualification scenarios for multiple teams.
Squads:
Kolkata Knight Riders: Rahmanullah Gurbaz(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Manish Pandey, Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Ramandeep Singh, Vaibhav Arora, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana, Anrich Nortje, Mayank Markande, Anukul Roy, Luvnith Sisodia, Spencer Johnson, Moeen Ali, Quinton de Kock, Venkatesh Iyer, Rovman Powell, Chetan Sakariya
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Jacob Bethell, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarawal, Rajat Patidar(c), Jitesh Sharma(w), Tim David, Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Lungi Ngidi, Yash Dayal, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Dar Salam, Manoj Bhandage, Liam Livingstone, Swapnil Singh, Philip Salt, Mohit Rathee, Swastik Chikara, Abhinandan Singh, Nuwan Thushara, Josh Hazlewood
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Deccan Herald
24 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Arshdeep back in Kent, focussing on red-ball rhythm ahead of England Test series
Primarily known for his white-ball exploits, Arshdeep, who represented Kent in the County Championship two years ago, had a notable season in the IPL 2025 with Punjab Kings, who finished runners-up.
&w=3840&q=100)

Business Standard
26 minutes ago
- Business Standard
Diageo weighs RCB stake sale as IPL hits $2 bn valuation, ad norms tighten
British spirits giant Diageo Plc is exploring the possibility of selling part or all of its stake in the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Bloomberg reported on Tuesday. The company, which holds the team through its Indian subsidiary United Spirits Ltd, is in early discussions with potential advisers. While no final decision has been made, the franchise could be valued at up to $2 billion. Diageo and United Spirits have not issued any public statements regarding the potential divestment. Health Ministry urges tighter ad rules on IPL ads The move comes as Diageo faces mounting regulatory pressure from the Union Health Ministry to curb indirect advertising of alcohol during major sporting events like the IPL. The company has historically leveraged soda and non-alcoholic brand extensions to maintain visibility under existing restrictions, a strategy that could soon be curtailed under stricter advertising norms. Valuation soars with RCB's commercial rise RCB, one of the original teams in the IPL) was first owned by liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya. The team later came under the control of Diageo after it took over Mallya's beleaguered spirits empire. RCB recently won its first IPL title, a major milestone that has boosted its visibility and commercial appeal. With Virat Kohli - one of the most followed athletes globally - in its ranks, RCB commands enormous market appeal, particularly across digital platforms. The potential sale comes as IPL franchise values continue to soar, thanks to the league's rapid commercial growth, bringing it on par with the NFL and English Premier League in terms of global influence and ad revenue. For Diageo, the timing may be strategic. The company is witnessing a decline in premium liquor sales in its largest market, the United States, and broader global cost pressures. Selling RCB, a non-core part of its business, could free up funds and help Diageo focus on its main operations. Health Ministry pushes to ban surrogate promotions of alcohol, tobacco The backdrop to this development includes a recent push by India's Union Health Ministry to ban all forms of alcohol and tobacco advertising, including surrogate promotions, during IPL broadcasts and related events. In March, the ministry wrote to IPL Chairperson Arun Singh Dhumal, urging a complete prohibition on such advertisements across all platforms, including television, stadiums, and affiliated venues. 'The Indian Premier League (IPL), being India's most viewed sporting event, sends a contradictory message to the public about health and fitness when it allows the direct or indirect promotion of tobacco and alcohol,' the ministry had said in a statement. The ministry also called for a ban on the sale of tobacco and alcohol products at all IPL-related events and sports facilities.


NDTV
29 minutes ago
- NDTV
RCB Owners Looking To Sell Franchise After IPL 2025 Win: Sources
Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), just a week after winning the 2025 title, could be looking at new owners. Sources have told NDTV that the franchise's current owners, Diageo Plc, are out in the market, looking to sell the franchise, either partially or fully. The decision comes in the wake of the high that the brand has witnessed after the team won its maiden IPL title, putting an end to the 18-year-long hiatus. RCB is run by United Spirits Ltd in India, through Diageo Plc, which is to are already in talks with potential investors. Though there's no official information on the valuation of the franchise that has come yet, it has been reported by Bloomberg that the owners might demand a price as high as USD 2 billion (approx. INR 16,834 crores) for complete sale. British distiller and United Spirits Ltd.'s parent Diageo Plc is evaluating options to sell a partial or full stake in Royal Challengers Bengaluru, according to people familiar with the matter. The liquor giant is exploring ways to monetise the IPL franchise after its recent title win, the people said, adding, Diageo is talking to potential advisors to manage the deal. As the news of RCB's potential sale broke, the sentiments also gave a boost to United Spirits' shares a boost. The stock prices went up as much as 3.3% on Tuesday morning. However, the decision wether to sell the franchise, or not, isn't final yet. Right after the high of the IPL title triumph, RCB also hit a low when the franchise's title celebrations at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru turned fatal for 11 fans. The loss of lives in the celebrations saw the euphoria sink dramatically. How Diageo Bought RCB When the franchise started in 2008, it was originally bought by Vijay Mallya, who used to own Kingfisher Airlines and was one of the most renowned figures in India's liquor industry. Mallya found himself embroiled in a debt trap that brought his empire crashing down, giving Diageo an opportunity to buy RCB through its subsidiary in India, United Spirits. RCB remains one of the most followed sporting teams on social media across the globe. In cricket, the franchise has the biggest fanbase despite the lack of success it has had in the T20 league.