Match Centre Ground time: 19:20

Commentator: S Sudarshanan

Squad

PLAYERROLE
Rajat Patidar (c)Top-order batter
Abhinandan Singh Bowler
Mayank Agarwal Batter
Jacob Bethell Batting allrounder
Manoj Bhandage Allrounder
Swastik Chikara Batter
Tim David Middle-order batter
Josh Hazlewood Bowler
Virat Kohli Top-order batter
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Bowler
Liam Livingstone Batting allrounder
Mohit Rathee Allrounder
Lungi Ngidi Bowler
Krunal Pandya Allrounder
Rasikh Salam Bowler
Phil Salt †Wicketkeeper batter
Jitesh Sharma †Wicketkeeper batter
Romario Shepherd Bowling allrounder
Suyash Sharma Bowler
Swapnil Singh Bowler
Nuwan Thushara Bowler
Yash Dayal Bowler

Squad

Royal Challengers Bengaluru
PLAYERROLE
Rajat Patidar (c)Top-order batter
Abhinandan Singh Bowler
Mayank Agarwal Batter
Jacob Bethell Batting allrounder
Manoj Bhandage Allrounder
Swastik Chikara Batter
Tim David Middle-order batter
Josh Hazlewood Bowler
Virat Kohli Top-order batter
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Bowler
Liam Livingstone Batting allrounder
Mohit Rathee Allrounder
Lungi Ngidi Bowler
Krunal Pandya Allrounder
Rasikh Salam Bowler
Phil Salt †Wicketkeeper batter
Jitesh Sharma †Wicketkeeper batter
Romario Shepherd Bowling allrounder
Suyash Sharma Bowler
Swapnil Singh Bowler
Nuwan Thushara Bowler
Yash Dayal Bowler
Kolkata Knight Riders
PLAYERROLE
Ajinkya Rahane (c)Top-order batter
Venkatesh Iyer Allrounder
Vaibhav Arora Bowler
Quinton de Kock †Wicketkeeper batter
Harshit Rana Bowler
Spencer Johnson Bowler
Mayank Markande Bowler
Sunil Narine Bowling allrounder
Anrich Nortje Bowler
Manish Pandey Top-order batter
Angkrish Raghuvanshi Top-order batter
Rahmanullah Gurbaz †Wicketkeeper batter
Ramandeep Singh Middle-order batter
Anukul Roy Allrounder
Andre Russell Allrounder
Chetan Sakariya Bowler
Rinku Singh Middle-order batter
Luvnith Sisodia †Wicketkeeper batter
Varun Chakravarthy Bowler

7:07pm How are y'all, cricket hopefuls? There is still a fair amount of drizzle, no chance of toss just yet. But here's something to keep you occupied for a while:

In the lead-up to the World Test Championship final between Australia and South Africa at Lord's on June 11, ESPNcricinfo, Star Sports and JioHotstar are inviting you to help us pick the greatest Test of the 21st century. In the voting bracket, we now have Inzamam's Multan save against Joseph's Gabba breach and the Trent Bridge Ashes thriller versus Brett Lee's all-round brilliance. What are your picks?

6:55pm: Covers still firmly on, it's still raining and the toss has been officially delayed. Doesn't look like it will happen in the next hour though. And say hi to Sudarshanan who'll come in to keep you entertained.

6:40pm: Not official but there's no chance toss will be on time as it's still pelting down. So, here's Ashish's Twitter for scenes from the ground and Andre Russell pre-interview: Very good feeling all the time to be part of this amazing tournament. We're here and excited. There has been a break in momentum but we're used to travelling across countries. Mentally, I know how to switch on. Time off helps me as an individual to reflect. But the moment I came back for practice, I made sure the body is up and running again. I have a strong mindset and am ready to roll. Yesterday at practice, I hit the ball well. Hit a couple on the roof. Been following up with the weather, chances are for rain to be around but we're keen to play regardless of the situation - wet outfield - even if it's an ocean out there, we'll have to give it our best and come out with a win.

Jony: "Rain pouring down right now? Actually that's good news if it's pouring down as statistically it will stop after 1-2 hours which will allow the play of atleast 10 overs per match and if not that then surely 5 over match. So it should rain heavily now and stop within 1-2 hours or so " Logic works at a generic level, but Bangalore is capable of long rain spells.

Diwakar : "Even during 1st RCB VS KKR match at Eden gardens everyone was doubtful of the match as there was rain forecast but full 20 overs match happened. Hoping for the same today but hopefully resulting in a KKR win."

From Ashish Pant who's at the ground: Hellos from a very wet Chinnaswamy stadium where it is absolutely hosing down. The forecast was always going to be of rain and thunderstorms, and that has arrived big time. The rain hasn't deterred the RCB faithful, who have come in big numbers. There is a lot of red, but the change today is that there are a lot of white jerseys, with fans coming in to pay tribute to Virat Kohli after he retired from Test cricket last week. But they will have to wait as this match isn't starting anytime soon. Chinnaswamy Stadium has one of the best drainage systems in the world, so it's just a matter of time when/if the rain stops. For the time being, it is a long wait.

Abhishek : "What's the cut-off time for a 5 over match?" Scheduled toss is still 30 minutes away, so it's too early to say.

Virat: "Knowing about Bengaluru rains if it rains heavily now, normally it will stop raining from 7 and takes a break for next 5 hours.. Let's hope Bengaluru ground amazing drainage system we will have a decent match today!!"

6:20pm: Rain's still heavy. There are puddles as water's pouring over from the covers. Fans have evacuated the lower seats and flocked under stands. Not much going going for KKR in a must-win situation. Moeen Ali and Rovman Powell are the only two overseas players who won't be returning. They haven't lost to RCB in Bengaluru for a long while but their on-and-off season could come to a premature end. So, KKR fans, how're you coping with the situation?

Aditya: "Started following test cricket recently so I missed out on quite a lot of knocks of Kohli. But one that will forever be etched in my mind is Boxing Day 23' in South Africa. Might be the best non 100 knock of his"

Mustafa Moudi : "My favourite Test Memory is Dhoni's Last Test Match at Melbourne where Kohli and Rahane were involved in 262 Partnership. The pair went to become Captain and Vice-Captain of the Indian Test Team and today they are playing against each other !!"

Sid Monga's Virat tribute: Kohli and Test cricket gave each other their best

6:10pm: It's gotten dark and there is proper rain now. Evening rains have been persistent of late, so it's not looking great. So for now, lets' look back at the fact that during the break Virat Kohli announced his Test retirement and the fanfare has been on expected lines in the build-up. There might be a fair share of white jerseys in the stands too. Do share your favourite Kohli Test memory.

Sanjay B: "Die hard RCB fans need to take a boat to reach the stadium now"

Shakti: "I am staying few KM away from Chinnaswamy stadium and here the rain is pouring heavily. As Bangalore has a very good drainage system on stadium hope we will get a game. In case of washout is it all over for KKR? " Yep

Match Preview by Shashank Kishore: RCB and KKR kick off business end of league phase

6pm: Hello and welcome back. The IPL resumes after a ten-day break in arguably the most high-energy venue. The fact that RCB are a win away from sealing a spot in the playoffs means the excitement will be high at the Chinnaswamy. KKR need a win but they'll still need a few other results to their way. Quite a few people are in the ground already but the sky is dark gray and the pitch is under cover. The forecast isn't great but let's hope that stays away.

Players To Watch - Batsmen

  • Virat Kohli
    Virat KohliRCB
    10MAT
    446RUNS
    55.75AVG
    141.13SR
  • Rajat PatidarRCB
    10MAT
    205RUNS
    22.77AVG
    133.11SR
  • Ajinkya Rahane
    Ajinkya RahaneKKR
    10MAT
    301RUNS
    37.62AVG
    143.33SR
  • Angkrish Raghuvanshi
    Angkrish RaghuvanshiKKR
    9MAT
    234RUNS
    33.42AVG
    148.10SR

Players To Watch - Bowlers

  • Josh Hazlewood
    Josh HazlewoodRCB
    9MAT
    16W
    8.80ECO
    12.3SR
  • Bhuvneshwar Kumar
    Bhuvneshwar KumarRCB
    10MAT
    12W
    8.92ECO
    19.0SR
  • Varun Chakravarthy
    Varun ChakravarthyKKR
    10MAT
    14W
    6.89ECO
    16.7SR
  • Vaibhav AroraKKR
    9MAT
    13W
    10.03ECO
    14.5SR

Head To Head

LAST FIVE MATCHESDATESERIES/TOURNAMENT
RCBRCB177/3 beat174/8KKRKKR22/03/25Indian Premier League
RCBRCB221 lost to222/6KKRKKR21/04/24Indian Premier League
RCBRCB182/6lost to186/3 KKRKKR29/03/24Indian Premier League
RCBRCB179/8 lost to200/5KKRKKR26/04/23Indian Premier League
RCBRCB123 lost to204/7KKRKKR06/04/23Indian Premier League