The final IPL 2024 group stage match in Bengaluru, between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on May 18, will be under threat from rain – here are the latest weather updates for the all-important RCB vs CSK clash.
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RCB vs CSK: Latest weather updates in Bengaluru
One day out of the RCB vs CSK clash at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 18, the weather has largely been clear in most parts of the city.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has, however, issued an orange alert for south interior Karnataka, which also includes Bengaluru, from May 18 to May 20.
RCB vs CSK: What is the rain prediction during the game?
According to local forecast, rain is expected during the match hours, especially the first half. The usual cut-off time for a five-overs-a-side game is close to 11 pm local time, which means there is a high chance that a shortened game might be played.
#RCBvsCSK #RCBvCSK Weather conditions during the game vs CSK at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru #BengaluruRains #BangaloreRains #IPL
Most meteorological models are predicting moderate to heavy rains on 18th May
Rains are mostly predicted post dusk, between 7PM to 10:30 PM being… https://t.co/tUGN3QCgPU pic.twitter.com/mPeHuuJg9k
— Karnataka Weather (@Bnglrweatherman) May 16, 2024
According to AccuWeather, thunderstorms are predicted on Saturday (May 18) afternoon through the evening. There’s a 78 per cent probability of rain, with 99 per cent cloud cover through the day.
The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm local time. The AccuWeather weather forecast for Saturday night says that there’s a 62 per cent chance of rain and a 37 per cent chance of thunderstorms. 9.3 millimetres of rain is predicted for the night of May 18 with temperatures hovering around 22 degrees celsius.
BBC weather predicts a 70 per cent chance of rain between 7:30 pm and 11:30 pm – the usual match timings.
What happens if the RCB vs CSK game is washed out?
Both RCB and CSK have played 13 games each and have registered six and seven victories respectively. For RCB, it is a must-win game if they are to make it to the playoffs. They’ll have to win the game by a certain pre-defined margin to overtake CSK’s NRR and qualify for the playoffs. If they win, but not by enough, they will be out. If they lose, they will be out. And if the match is washed out, they will be out.
For CSK, a victory will confirm qualification. They can qualify even if they lose by a small margin or if SRH lose their last two games by big enough margins. A washout will also guarantee qualification for CSK.
How good is the drainage system at Chinnaswamy?
The Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru has one of the best drainage systems in the country, if not in world cricket. The state-of-the-art SubAir system ensures that standing water is removed from the outfield as soon as it starts raining, at a rate of up to 10,000 litres per minute.
It allows the outfield to get ready within minutes of the rain stopping. Which means as long as there’s a large enough dry spell during match hours, chances are that the exceptional drainage facilities at the Chinnaswamy Stadium will allow the game to go through.
