Sat Mar 22 04:00:00 UTC 2025: ## IPL Opener in Kolkata a Go Despite Earlier Rain Concerns

**Kolkata, India** – The highly anticipated IPL 2025 opener between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens is set to proceed as scheduled, despite earlier concerns over heavy rainfall. While the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for Thursday, predicting thunderstorms and rain for South Bengal through Sunday, the weather in Kolkata has shown significant improvement.

After a rain-soaked Friday that forced the cancellation of practice sessions, sunshine broke through Saturday morning, much to the relief of fans and organizers. Although some intermittent rain and cloud cover persisted throughout the day, weather updates throughout the day showed clearing skies. The latest forecasts suggest minimal chances of rain during the evening match.

The opening ceremony will feature performances by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and renowned singer Shreya Ghoshal, adding to the excitement surrounding the event. Organizers expressed confidence in the Eden Gardens’ drainage system’s ability to handle any remaining precipitation. The match is scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM.

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