There is a high chance that the Indian Premier League 2026 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Kolkata Knight Riders could end in a washout after persistent rain delayed the toss at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium.

At the time of writing, the rain has finally stopped, but significant water logging is visible on the covers. Ground stewards are currently working with extreme care to remove the water without letting it seep onto the playing surface.

While there is a brief sense of relief, it may be short-lived as the forecast suggests further showers could hit during match hours.

Raipur Rain Update:

The latest update from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) suggests there remains a 50% chance of rain during the initial hours of play. As we mentioned earlier, the city remains under a Yellow Alert for thunderstorms, lightning, and squalls.

RCB vs KKR: When Will The Toss Take Place?

The sun did make a brief appearance around 5:00–6:00 PM, but it turned out to be a deception as the clouds gathered quickly and the showers returned.

Currently, the speculated time for the next inspection is 8:15 PM, meaning the toss will only take place after that. However, looking at the overcast sky and predictions from AccuWeather, the threat of the rain returning remains very real.

What if the rain spoils the play today?

If the rain persists and prevents even a five-overs-per-side game, the match will be declared a “No Result,” and both teams will share one point each. For RCB, this single point would take them to 15 points.

While it wouldn’t officially confirm their playoff spot tonight, it would put them on the cusp of qualification, requiring just one more point from their remaining two games to hit the 16-point safety mark.

However, for KKR, a shared point feels like a loss. It would move them to 10 points, leaving them with an almost impossible mountain to climb to reach the top four, effectively ending their late-season surge.

How would a washout affect the Net Run Rate?

A washout means the Net Run Rate (NRR) for both teams remains frozen. This is a massive advantage for RCB, who currently lead the league with a dominant NRR of +1.103. They would effectively stay in the driver’s seat for a top-two finish.

On the other hand, KKR—currently at -0.169—desperately needs a full game to secure a big win and repair their NRR. Without the chance to play, their path to the playoffs would rely entirely on other results going their way, which is a gamble they cannot afford.

What is the latest “Cut-Off” time for a game?

The groundstaff and officials are working against the clock. For a minimum five-over-a-side contest to take place, the match must start by approximately 10:15 PM. If the covers aren’t off and the outfield isn’t dried by then, the umpires will have no choice but to call off the game. With the humidity rising and the Yellow Alert still active, the next hour of drainage work will determine whether Raipur sees a cricket match or a points split.