Weather could have a say in the all-important RCB vs CSK match in IPL 2024, a virtual playoffs qualifier for both teams: here are the latest rain updates from Bengaluru, including real-time weather briefs.
One of Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings will be sealing the fourth spot in the playoffs tonight, with Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals already qualified. CSK are higher in the points table than RCB, with 14 points and a superior run-rate (+0.528), which will require RCB to win with sufficient margin to usurp them.
Rain could have a say though: currently, a severe rainfall alert has been issued in the region. However, as of the afternoon of May 18, the situation has eased up, with no rain reported since morning. Here are the latest weather updates from Bengaluru:
RCB vs CSK: Latest rain prediction and real-time updates
THE RAIN HAS STOPPED AT THE CHINNASWAMY STADIUM. pic.twitter.com/eE1jZBVUgV
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 18, 2024
7.55pm IST: The rain has subside and the covers are slowly being peeled off.
7.45pm IST: It’s pouring now! The players are off and the covers are on. Quite a heavy downpour, and a sudden one at that.
7.37pm IST: There’s a slight drizzle at the moment, but the players are continuing to stay in the middle.
7.30pm IST: The game begins, with the skies clear and no immediate threat of rain.
7pm IST: Things have cleared up, and the action is all set to begin. CSK won the toss and opted to bowl.
5pm IST: A slight tinge of grey has started mixing with the white clouds. Reports state that it has started raining heavily in South Bengaluru around the afternoon.
4.30pm IST: The city is currently rain-free, with white cloud cover making the sun play hide and seek.
As of now, Accuweather suggests the chance of precipitation ranging to be from 47 to 68 per cent in the evening/night, coinciding with the time period of the match.
Google Weather suggests that chance of precipitation could be around 71 per cent around 8pm, which is half hour into the match.
still here…and still refreshing da 🥲🌧️#IPL2024 https://t.co/cYS55iqggJ pic.twitter.com/JBNiRnlMhm
— Google India (@GoogleIndia) May 18, 2024
BBC Weather’s indication shows chance of precipitation hovering between 79 per cent to the mid-thirties during the duration of the match.
Beyond the playoff chances, the match is also important in the context of MS Dhoni’s future. While he has not explicitly announced his retirement after this season, it has been largely understood that this would be his final hurrah. If CSK are beaten by the required margin, this could end up being Dhoni’s final game.