IPL 2025: RCB vs SRH moved to Lucknow due to rain forecast¡ªHere¡¯s what it means for playoff race and venue changes
The IPL 2025 match between RCB and SRH has been shifted from Bengaluru to Lucknow due to heavy rain forecasts. With playoff spots at stake, this change could impact RCB¡¯s top-two hopes. The final stages of the tournament will be held in Mullanpur and Ahmedabad.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has made a last-minute change to the match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). Originally scheduled to be played at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on May 23, the match will now take place at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. This shift has been prompted by ongoing weather disruptions in Bengaluru and a yellow alert for more rainfall in the coming days.
Why was the match shifted?
The IPL decided to move the RCB vs SRH match due to the increasing likelihood of rain in Bengaluru, where a yellow alert has been issued predicting ¡°heavy to very heavy rainfall¡± until Thursday. The decision comes after RCB¡¯s previous home match against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 17 was completely washed out. Given the pattern and updated forecasts, organisers have acted preemptively to avoid another potential washout.
An ESPNCricinfo report noted that SRH, who were scheduled to travel to Bengaluru on Tuesday evening, have instead been asked to remain in Lucknow in view of the venue change.
Current water logging condition of Bengaluru | Credit: X
Match importance for RCB
For the Rajat Patidar-led Royal Challengers, the game against SRH is crucial. A win will earn them two points, significantly improving their chances of finishing in the top two of the points table. This would give them a direct entry into the first qualifier match. RCB¡¯s final league match is also set to be played in Lucknow, against the Lucknow Super Giants, led by Rishabh Pant.
Playoffs and final venue details
According to reports from ESPNCricinfo and Cricbuzz, the four IPL 2025 playoff matches will be split between Mullanpur and Ahmedabad. Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur will host the first qualifier on May 29 and the eliminator on May 30. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the second qualifier and the final on June 1 and 3, respectively.
Ahmedabad¡¯s stadium, the largest cricket venue in the world, previously hosted the IPL finals in both 2022 and 2023. In both editions, Gujarat Titans reached the finals. There is speculation that the home team might once again make it to the final this year.
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Nancy Jaiswal is a journalist who started her career in reporting and has covered both hard and soft news. From serious city news developments to lighthearted lifestyle pieces, she has written on almost everything hapenning in India (except maybe alien invasions¡ªyet!). For her, writing isn¡¯t just work; it¡¯s a passion, an obsession, and sometimes the reason she forgets to reply to texts.
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