New Delhi: The inaugural match of the 18th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) featuring the reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is scheduled for March 22 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. However it is anticipated that the match may be canceled due to the forecast of significant rainfall in the city. The opening of the season is scheduled to begin with a spectacular ceremony featuring performances by well-known artists Shreya Ghoshal Karan Aujla and actress Disha Patani. However the match may be canceled due to predictions from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) of thunderstorms lightning and rain in Kolkata until March 22 attributed to an anticyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal. “A trough runs from central Odisha to Vidarbha and there is wind confluence over east and adjoining central India due to the above trough and anticyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal at lower tropospheric levels. Isolated to scattered light or moderate rainfall accompanied with thunderstorms lightning and gusty winds likely over sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim on March 20 and 21” IMD said. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata has announced an orange alert for certain areas of West Bengal effective from March 20 to March 22. Thunderstorm activity over the districts of West Bengal from 20th to 22nd March 2025. Due to the presence of favourable wind patterns & strong moisture incursion from the Bay of Bengal at lower tropospheric levels Thunderstorms with lightning and strong gusty surface winds are very likely to occur in some districts of West Bengal during 20-22 March 2025 the regional weather forecasting agency said. The opening match of the IPL 2025 season will be significant for both teams as they will be under new leadership. Rajat Patidar has been named the captain of RCB while Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed as the successor to Shreyas Iyer with Venkatesh Iyer serving as his vice-captain. RCB concluded last season in fourth place having been eliminated in the Eliminator match. Conversely KKR overcame their disappointing performances in 2022 and 2023 to claim the championship title. Kolkata has a favorable record against RCB having won eight out of their 12 encounters at the Eden Gardens.