League restarts with a washout, sends Knights out of contention

The abandoning of their RCB game in Bengaluru eliminates the holders from IPL playoff contention

- Dhiman Sarkar

KOLKATA: Their fate out of their hands for some time, defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were eliminated from IPL 2025 when rain washed out their must-win match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in Bengaluru on Saturday.

It was the second time that KKR were dealt a cruel hand by the weather, the first being the match against Punjab Kings (PBKS) at Eden Gardens that was abandoned halfway due to rain and storm.

That no result, following successive defeats, meant KKR had to win their remaining matches and hope for a string of results to go their way. For all the positivity skipper Ajinkya Rahane exuded after snatching defeat from victory against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), it would always prove to be a bit much. Especially in a format where matches turn in one over, think KKR-CSK.