Yet again, Kolkata’s unpredictable weather has become a big talking point as Kolkata Knight Riders prepare to face Mumbai Indians in Match 65 of IPL 2026 at Eden Gardens. The city has been receiving rain almost every day lately, and with KKR still hanging on to slim playoff hopes, the threat of a washout is now a major concern. KKR currently sit eighth on the table with 11 points from 12 matches and cannot afford to lose points because of rain. Mumbai Indians are already eliminated, but both MI and the weather could end up spoiling Kolkata’s party tonight. So, will it rain during the match at Eden Gardens? Let’s find out.
Kolkata Weather Today During KKR vs MI IPL Match At Eden Gardens
According to the latest report from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kolkata is likely to witness rain and thunderstorms later in the day. “Humid and uncomfortable weather very likely. Thunderstorm with light rain likely to occur in some areas towards afternoon/evening,” the official IMD report stated. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 35°C and 28°C respectively. At the time of writing it is 35.5°C and the chance for rain is 67% in Kolkata.
- Maximum Temperature: 35.4°C
- Minimum Temperature: 28.7°C
- Maximum Humidity: 86%
- Minimum Humidity: 64%
As for the KKR vs MI match, Kolkata remains under a yellow alert during the afternoon hours, with thunderstorms expected between 3:30 PM and 6:30 PM. If rain arrives, it is most likely to hit during this period.
However, during the actual match hours, AccuWeather currently predicts a lower chance of rain. That said, fans should still be prepared for possible interruptions or even a delayed toss if the weather system stretches further into the evening.
“Light to moderate thunderstorm and lightning accompanied with light to moderate rain and gusty wind with speed 30-40 kmph very likely to affect some parts of Kolkata district during next 2-3 hours from 15:30, 20-05-2026,” the IMD warning states.
KKR vs MI: What If It Rains Today?
In IPL, a match cannot be called off at the first sight of a heavy downpour. For any game to achieve an official, legally binding result, a minimum threshold of 5 overs per side must be fully bowled and completed. If the relentless rain cuts into the evening, the match officials and ground staff will exhaust every single minute of the allocated extra time buffer to trim the match down to this lightning-fast 5-over shootout.
Umpires keep continuously inspecting the outfield and consult the groundsmen, waiting for the storm to clear. Only when the cutoff time for a 5-over game passes, or if the field conditions are deemed fundamentally unsafe for play, do the officials finally pull the plug. At that definitive moment, the match is officially declared a “No Result” or a complete washout.
What happens to KKR’s playoff hopes if tonight’s match is washed out?
If the weather gods refuse to cooperate at Eden Gardens, a complete washout would deal a catastrophic blow to the Kolkata Knight Riders’ hopes of qualifying for the IPL 2026 playoffs. Each team will share one point, and this would push Kolkata from 11 points to 12 points with just one league match remaining, which completely destroys their destiny.
KKR desperately need the full two points from an outright victory to bridge the gap with the top four. Slipping into a split-point scenario caps their absolute maximum possible ceiling at just 14 points, assuming they go on to win their final game.
Because chasing heavyweights like the Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Chennai Super Kings are already hovering comfortably around the 13 and 14-point marks with games in hand, KKR would essentially be stripped of their ability to catch them.
