• Ashish Pant
May 18, 2024, 11:15 AM

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans had reason to cheer on Saturday morning as most of Bengaluru enjoyed blue skies and sunshine.

There has been significant concern about rain impacting RCB's crucial match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), a game that will determine who joins Kolkata Knight Riders, Rajasthan Royals, and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL 2024 playoffs.


In central Bengaluru, where the Chinnaswamy Stadium is located, there was no overnight rain, and the morning saw clear skies. However, the evening forecast remains uncertain, with a 60% chance of rain around the 7:30 pm match start time. The Indian Meteorological Department predicts a "generally cloudy sky with one or two spells of rain or thundershowers."

The forecast for the night before the match also included rain and thunderstorms, but while it stayed cloudy, rain did not materialize in central Bengaluru, allowing both RCB and CSK to practice for over an hour without disruption. Despite consistent rainfall over the last few weeks following a period of unusually hot weather, the last three days have been relatively dry in most parts of the city.


Even if it does rain, the Chinnaswamy Stadium boasts an excellent drainage system, including a subsurface aeration system, enabling play to resume just 30 minutes after rain stops.

RCB's playoff hopes hinge on the outcome of this match. After losing seven of their first eight games, they made a remarkable comeback by winning their next five. Currently, RCB sits at 12 points with a net run rate (NRR) of 0.387, while CSK has 14 points and an NRR of 0.538. To surpass CSK’s NRR and secure a playoff spot, RCB would need to win by 18 runs or chase down a target of 200 with about 11 balls to spare. A rain-shortened game would complicate this task.


"The good thing is that it is crystal clear what we need to do," said Malolan Rangarajan, RCB's head of scouting, on the eve of the game. "Whether it is a 20-over game or a five-over game, our approach remains consistent."


For CSK, the scenario is straightforward: a win, a washout, or even a narrow defeat will suffice to reach the final four.

"We can't control the weather," said Dwayne Bravo, CSK's bowling coach. "Our focus is on the game, pushing for a playoff spot, and facing the challenge against a very good team tomorrow."