Persistent rain and a waterlogged outfield forced the abandonment of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 Match 12 between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings (PBKS) at the iconic Eden Gardens on Monday evening.
The match, which saw limited action before the heavens opened, ended with no result, awarding one point each to both teams under IPL rules.
The drama began early when KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane won the toss and elected to bat first. The hosts made a shaky start, reaching 25/2 in 3.4 overs with the loss of openers Finn Allen and Cameron Green.
A steady drizzle quickly intensified into heavy rain accompanied by strong winds and thunderstorm activity, halting play and preventing any further cricket.
Ground staff worked tirelessly to cover the pitch and outfield, but the heavy downpour left large puddles across the playing surface. Despite multiple inspections, the umpires eventually called off the game due to unsafe and unplayable conditions caused by the wet outfield.
This marks another frustrating rain-affected outing for KKR at their home venue. The defending champions from previous seasons have now gone winless in their first three matches of IPL 2026, sitting at the bottom of the points table with a negative net run rate. The abandonment hands them their first point of the season, but does little to ease the pressure on the side.
Punjab Kings, on the other hand, head into the break with their strong early momentum intact. Having secured two wins from their opening two matches (against CSK and GT), PBKS sit comfortably in the top four of the IPL 2026 points table with four points and a positive net run rate of +0.637. The extra point from the no-result further bolsters their position.
Weather forecasts had warned of rain and thunderstorms in Kolkata throughout the day, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing alerts. Practice sessions for both teams were already disrupted the previous day due to wet conditions.
This is the second consecutive season where a KKR vs PBKS fixture at Eden Gardens has been impacted by rain. Fans expressed disappointment on social media, with many hoping for better luck in future home games for the Knight Riders.
Points Table Update
- Punjab Kings: 3 matches, 4 points (2 wins, 1 NR)
- Kolkata Knight Riders: 3 matches, 1 point (0 wins, 2 losses, 1 NR)
As the IPL 2026 season progresses, both teams will look to put this weather disappointment behind them. KKR will aim to break their losing streak in the upcoming fixtures, while PBKS will seek to maintain their impressive early form.
The TATA IPL continues with high-stakes encounters, but weather remains an unpredictable factor in the early weeks of the tournament.
