Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have accused the IPL of “ad hoc decision-making” after a mid-season rule change on rain delays cost them a playoff berth.
The defending champions’ May 17 clash against RCB in Bengaluru was washed out, but CEO Venky Mysore argues the new 120-minute extension, introduced after their match, could have salvaged a five-over contest. Follow BRG365 for updates.
KKR’s Playoff Hopes Drowned by Rain
The IPL’s Governing Council’s abrupt decision to extend rain delays by 120 minutes has drawn sharp criticism from KKR, who saw their title defense collapse due to the timing of the rule change.
The revised regulation, implemented on May 20, allows matches to start as late as 9:30 PM without overs reduction—a provision absent during KKR’s critical May 17 fixture against RCB.
“Had this extension been in place when the IPL resumed, our match could have had a five-over contest,” Mysore stated in a strongly worded email to IPL COO Hemang Amin.
The match, delayed by persistent rain at Chinnaswamy Stadium, was called off at 10:26 PM under the previous one-hour rule, leaving KKR with just 12 points from 13 games.
Inconsistency Claims and Collateral Damage
Mysore emphasized that the rule change’s belated application undermined the tournament’s integrity: “Such inconsistencies are unbecoming of a global league like the IPL.”
With two washed-out matches this season, KKR now sits sixth and mathematically eliminated from playoffs, while other franchises privately echo their concerns about mid-season rule tinkering.
The BCCI justified the adjustment, citing the “early onset of monsoon,” but KKR’s case highlights a broader issue: why the rule wasn’t activated when the IPL resumed on May 17 after a week-long suspension.
The delay proved fatal for the defending champions, who now face questions about their 2025 campaign’s underperformance.
KKR’s playoff exit has reignited debates over IPL’s reactive governance. While the rule change aims to save matches, its timing has left stakeholders questioning whether consistency or convenience is prioritized.
Also Read: Rain ends KKR's playoff hopes and extends pause on IPL
