Bengaluru, May 17: The much-anticipated restart of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has hit an immediate roadblock as persistent rain in Bengaluru forced the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to be called off here on Saturday.

Fans who were ready to welcome Virat Kohli back on the field after his shock Test retirement announcement left only with disappointment.

For RCB, a shared point now took them to 17 points from 12 matches, just one ahead of second-placed Gujarat Titans and two ahead of Punjab Kings.

However, both GT and PBKS have played only 11 matches, giving them a game in hand to potentially leapfrog RCB. While 17 points might be enough to qualify for the playoffs, RCB will not want to take any chances and will still be aiming to win at least one of their remaining two matches to secure their place in the top four, and ideally, a top-two finish.

Meanwhile, for defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), a washout spelled the end of their playoff hopes. With only 11 points from 13 games, the no-result took them to 12, and with just one game remaining, the maximum they can reach is 14, which is unlikely to be enough. Their final game against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) would effectively become a dead rubber.

The washout is likely to end up favouring teams like Gujarat Titans and Punjab Kings, who are still in the running for top spots. If either GT or PBKS win their next game, they will overtake or level with RCB, respectively.

But should they stumble, RCB might still hold onto their place at the top.

(IANS)

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