Will KKR’s Luck Turn? Points Split With Punjab Kings In Rain-Truncated Eden Encounter
Rain forces points split between KKR and PBKS.
Punjab Kings ascended to the summit of the IPL 2026 points table on Monday night after a violent Nor'wester thunderstorm forced officials to abandon their high-stakes encounter against Kolkata Knight Riders. Only 22 deliveries were possible at the historic Eden Gardens before the skies opened, leaving the home side stranded at 25 for 2 in 3.4 overs. While the result allowed KKR to finally open their account after two consecutive losses, it felt like a missed opportunity for a Punjab side that appeared to have the Knight Riders in a stranglehold.
Kolkata’s evening began with a tactical gamble that quickly soured. Captain Ajinkya Rahane opted to bat first, placing his top order directly in the path of Xavier Bartlett. The Australian pacer exploited the heavy atmosphere with precision, removing both Finn Allen and Cameron Green in the second over. Both batters were caught behind, struggling against the late movement Bartlett extracted under the floodlights.
Meteorological conditions in West Bengal during April are frequently dictated by "Kalbaisakhi" or Nor'wester storms. These intense convective cells often bring sudden, heavy downpours that test even the most advanced drainage systems. Despite the ground staff's best efforts with full-ground covers and super soppers, persistent rain created unsafe playing conditions. By the 11:14 PM cut-off time, the umpires determined that the match could not resume, leading to the official "No Result" declaration and a split of points between the two franchises.
With Agency feed and Image Source:ANI
