Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, that storied cauldron of cricket, turned into a soggy mess on April 26, 2025, when a fierce thunderstorm and relentless rain washed out the IPL clash between Kolkata Knight Riders and Punjab Kings. The match, poised to be a high-stakes showdown, fizzled out after just one over of KKR’s chase, leaving both teams to split a single point each. For KKR, the defending champs, and PBKS, a side clawing for a top-four spot, this no-result stings—hard. With the IPL 2025 playoffs race tighter than a Kolkata traffic jam, that lone point could be the difference between glory and an early flight home.
The game started with promise. Punjab, opting to bat, piled on 201 for 4, thanks to a blistering 120-run opening stand by Priyansh Arya, who smashed 69 off 35 balls, and Prabhsimran Singh, who carved out 83 off 49. KKR’s bowlers, led by Andre Russell and Varun Chakravarthy, clawed back late, but the target loomed large. KKR’s openers, Sunil Narine and Rahmanullah Gurbaz, managed seven runs in the first over before the skies opened. A dust storm kicked up, covers flapped like kites, and groundstaff scrambled, some using rocks to pin down tarps as winds howled. By 11:44 p.m., the cut-off for a five-over game, the umpires called it quits. First washout of IPL 2025. No winner, just frustration.
For KKR, this is a gut punch. Sitting seventh with seven points from nine games, their playoff hopes are on life support. They’ve got five matches left, including tough ones against second-placed Delhi Capitals on April 29 and a resurgent Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their finale. To hit the 16 points typically needed for a playoff berth, KKR need at least four wins—maybe all five to avoid leaning on net run rate. Their batting, shaky all season, has been a sore spot. Venkatesh Iyer’s 135 runs in eight innings, with just one fifty, and Andre Russell’s struggles have left them lean. The washout robbed them of a chance to chase 202 on a batting-friendly Eden pitch, where they’ve won 53 of 92 IPL games historically.
Punjab, meanwhile, climbed to fourth with 11 points from nine games, but they’re not popping champagne. That one point keeps them in the hunt, but a win would’ve pushed them to 12, level with the top dogs. With five games left, including clashes against heavyweights like Chennai Super Kings, PBKS need at least three wins to feel safe. Their batting, powered by Arya’s 254 runs at a strike rate of 201.58 and Shreyas Iyer’s 263, has been a strength. But their overseas stars—Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis—have fizzled, and the washout denied them a chance to flex their depth against a wobbly KKR.
Eden Gardens has seen its share of drama, hosting 97 IPL matches with teams chasing winning 56 times. The highest chase here? Punjab’s 262 for 2 against KKR in 2024. But on April 26, the only thing chased was shelter from the storm. Both teams now face a brutal slog to the playoffs, with every match a must-win. KKR’s next test is in Delhi, while Punjab gear up for a home game against Lucknow Super Giants. The rain’s gone, but the pressure’s just starting to pour.
KKR have seven points from nine matches, with five games remaining. PBKS have 11 points from nine matches, with five games left. A minimum of 16 points is generally required to qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs.