IPL 2025: Last year's finalists KKR and SRH clash, but fans point out Eden Gardens looks empty
At the toss, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) skipper Pat Cummins looked determined to lead their teams to victory. SRH won the toss and opted to field at Eden Gardens.
Match 15 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 brings a high-stakes clash as defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) face last season's finalists, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), in their fourth match of the season. At the toss, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane and SRH skipper Pat Cummins looked determined to lead their teams to victory.
However, fans quickly noticed that the stands at Eden Gardens appeared unusually empty. As the toss took place¡ªwon by SRH, who opted to field¡ªthe background showed sparsely filled stands. Even as the captains spoke, the usual loud cheers from supporters were noticeably absent, a rare sight in a stadium known for its passionate crowd.
? Toss ?@SunRisers won the toss and elected to bowl against @KKRiders in Match 1?5?
¡ª IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) April 3, 2025
Updates ?? https://t.co/jahSPzdeys#TATAIPL | #KKRvSRH pic.twitter.com/zO92b2ImLj
Fans react
Soon after the toss took place and the stands looked empty, many took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to speak about it and ask why. One wrote, "Why is Eden Gardens empty?"
Why is Eden Gardens empty ? pic.twitter.com/ttsU5QshL0
¡ª ? (@ameye_17) April 3, 2025
Another said, "Why stands are empty in Eden Gardens???"
Why stands are empty in eden gardens ??? @CricSubhayan @RevSportzGlobal
¡ª Nilesh Ghodela Kumawat ? (@neil_Ghodela_28) April 3, 2025
One wrote, "Eden Gardens looking empty for today's clash"
Eden Gardens looking empty for today's clash ?
¡ª Vinay Lamba (@VinayLamba_) April 3, 2025
Another added, "Hot & humid day here in Kolkata, empty stands at Eden Gardens, KKR & SRH are ready for a blockbuster face-off".
Hot & humid day ? here in Kolkata, empty stands at Eden Gardens, KKR & SRH are ready for a blockbuster face-off.
¡ª A?? (@anushmita7) April 3, 2025
All eyes on the pitch now! #KKRvSRH
Post the toss, however, and as the game began, the crowd started coming in and by the end of the 1st over, the stadium looked full.
About KKR vs SRH
SRH has made two changes¡ªKamindu Mendis makes his IPL debut, while Simarjeet Singh returns to the XI. For KKR, Moeen Ali replaces Spencer Johnson. Additionally, KKR held a special shirt presentation for Rinku Singh as he celebrates his 50th IPL match.
Teams
Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI): Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Aniket Verma, Heinrich Klaasen(w), Kamindu Mendis, Pat Cummins(c), Harshal Patel, Simarjeet Singh, Mohammed Shami, Zeeshan Ansari
Impact Subs: Abhinav Manohar, Jaydev Unadkat, Travis Head, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI): Quinton de Kock(w), Sunil Narine, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Venkatesh Iyer, Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy
Impact Subs: Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Anukul Roy, Rovman Powell Luvnith Sisodia.
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Karen Noronha is a versatile journalist with a passion for sports and K-pop. With over 7 years of experience at publications like IBTimes UK, DNA, and OTTPlay/DesiMartini, she seamlessly transitions between covering global athletic events and the dynamic world of K-pop.
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