Welcome to the 50th match of the IPL 2016. It’s a very important match for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). If they slip, they are out of the Playoffs race. Also, it is their last league game of the season at home. Kings XI Punjab have nothing to lose. They are already out of the Playoffs. Playing for pride is the only consolation.
LIVE SCORE | RCB vs KXIP | IPL 2016 | Chinnaswamy Stadium
9:32pm Vijay calls heads, heads it is. Kings XI Punjab opt to bowl. "There's a threat of rain, so we want to chase. This is a brilliant ground to play, the boys have a bit of momentum.
In: Behardien, Abbott, Cariappa Out: Maxwell, Stoinis, Anureet
"We're delighted that we're having a 15-over game , which we are excited about. Toss is not in our control, what's in our control is how we can play," says Kohli. "The guys have responded to situations beautifully under a crisis. The need of the hour was to show intensity, we just need to carry that forward.Varun Aaron is in for Iqbal Abdulla
9:20pm Update from Alagappan: Kohli and Vijay are in full kit. I suspect it may be because a start time may not be far off. Ground's filled with people now. The only cover that's left is the one on the pitches in the square
9:10pm That ground officials have started talking about a start time is a good thing. The ground does look surprisingly dry, enough that the RCB players have begun a little game of football.
9:00pm The rain has stopped completely. Only the square cover and a couple more are in place. The rest have, or are being banished from view. Groundstaff have stated working on the main square as well. We will have an inspection at 9:25pm
CKM: "Can't we cover the entire ground...Sri Lankans and our own Eden is good at it...it is the difference between a cricketer and a politician running a cricket board" Brijesh Patel, the KSCA chief, is a former India batsman too.
Akshay: "The rain forecasts were known from last couple of days. They could've started the match as early as 6 PM isn't it?" Started pouring at 6pm
8:44pm Step out for a minute and I see three pings! No surprises, it's Al. "Bowler's run up is visible, rain's abating, loads of activity among the groundstaff. Areas that were under the covers appear okay. But the outfield still has visible puddles. If the rain stays away from this point on, we could have a substantially long game."
Karthik: "Why don't they finish off the toss now? Cant they do toss in a closed room or studio? Is it because they toss coin into the sky, they do it in the middle of the ground? " Some questions don't have an answer, mate
We're certain to start losing overs. Cut off time to have a full game is 9:20pm . For those wondering, it's one extra hour plus 10 minutes of strategic time-outs and 10 minutes of innings break that can be sacrificed.
8:36pm: Officials are supervising the groundstaff clearing some water off the covers so that it doesn't seep into the turf. And in the process of that they had to drag the covers off for a bit, which got the people excited." Bottom line: Artificial excitement.
Sehwag
seems to be enjoying the Bangalore rain. I'm already starting to fancy a lovely little headline. 'Rain Challenges Bangalore.'
8:05pm The drizzle continues, Alagappan tells me. The super soppers are tending to the uncovered bits in the outfield. So the wait continues. Crowd's still in and keeping themselves busy with the "Arr-cee-bee" chant. And now that they've spotted some groundstaff running into the rain to grab the covers, the yells are strong indeed
7:50pm Steady drizzle. Covers on. Super soppers at work, but ground staff can't do much else unless the rain stops completely. "Let the rain stop, give me 45 minutes and we'll have at least 15 overs in," says KSCA's chief curator.
7:28pm Looks like Alagappan's demolished his plate of fried rice. He's back with an update: "Considering the deluge earlier, the rain seems to have abated just a touch. And Bangalore showers do have a knack of departing without a trace. Something tells me it'll be a late night and a teeny, tiny game."
Nikhil: "What's the cut-off for the match being called off?" 11.35pm
Keshuv: "I have been hearing rumours of Kohli banned for this game because of slow over rate by RCB in previous game. Is it true?" No, he's available for selection should we have a game of any kind tonight
7:20pm "You can chill for a while, not much happening here. All I can see are covers and puddles" Alagappan tell me from the freezing Chinnaswamy press box, where he's currently digging into fried rice and "awesome" chicken gravy. Ah, well!
"The super soppers have been wheeled out on the edge of the far boundary. Chinnaswamy's well stocked, there's four of them."
Neeraj: "I stay 4 kms away from the stadium, the rain has already eased here. I guess we will at least get a curtailed match, not ruling out the chances of full match though #hope"
Rajanand: "It's been that kind of weather since morning here in Bangalore. Even a curtailed game will do for RCB. World Boss, King Kohli and Mr. 360° would just love this kind of situation. Maybe a worry for their bowling campaign though #RCB #RainRainGoAway" I can remember a a six-over clash between RCB and CSK three years ago, which started at the 11th hour
As the rain continues, spend the time challenging your friends on
CricIQ Leagues. Show off how much IPL you know!
Apart from revolutionising the game, the IPL has also brought city loyalties, enthusiastic sons-in-law and plenty of glam and bling to cricket.
IPL photo feature: the weird and wonderful world of the IPL.
7pm "It's rained non-stop for the past half an hour and it ain't the itty bitty drizzle either. Every possible cover has been brought onto the ground, Blue ones, white ones, even a giant red one with the RCB logo," says Alagappan.
"I'd say 80% covered, but the uncovered spots at the outfield are taking a considerable lashing".
6.45pm It has grown into a massive downpour. It looks bleak for RCB.
Rishab : "There always seems to be something with RCB and rain "
Ayve: "RCB - Rain Challenges Bangalore"
Aayush: "RCB's final game at Chinnaswamy has been disturbed by rain twice in 3 years including this one."
Niroop: "Its pouring everywhere in Bangalore. It looks like apocalypse with huge clouds that will swallow the entire city."
Jeevan: "It was gloomy since yesterday and what a timing for the rain Gods to open up. No Gayle storm tonight I guess...."
6.30pm It's pouring in Bangalore. The covers were rushed onto the field by the groundstaff and they are being kept busy, says Alagappan Muthu, our man from the ground.
The wet weather may come as a relief for those who have borne the brunt of a harsh summer, but RCB would be hoping for it to clear. Last season, RCB were denied a top-two finish because of rain. The situation is a little more serious this time around; they need to win both their games to qualify. Warm welcome to ESPNcricinfo's ball-by-ball raindrop-by-drop coverage of RCB's final league game at home this season, against Kings XI Punjab I'm Shashank Kishore, and I'll bring you all the updates as it happens. Sure enough, the ground staff are going to be a busy lot tonight.
