Shah Rukh Khan stays on as rain delays play at Eden Gardens
Play remained suspended at Eden Gardens with Kolkata Knight Riders 25 for 2 in 3.4 overs after rain brought the match to a halt. The drizzle that had lingered over the past two days turned heavier during the innings, forcing players off the field and the covers onto the pitch.
Amid the delay, Shah Rukh Khan, co-owner of Kolkata Knight Riders, arrived at the venue and stayed on despite the weather. His presence drew loud cheers from the crowd. He was seen engaging with fans and also in conversation with Venky Mysore as everyone waited for updates on when play could resume.
Rain stops, but inspection delayed amid thunderstorm alert
At 10:24 PM IST, there was a brief positive update as the rain stopped at the venue. However, the covers remained in place as officials waited for further instructions. A thunderstorm alert in the vicinity meant there was no immediate clearance for ground staff to begin removing the covers.
Khan continued to acknowledge the crowd, waving from his position as fans reacted to his presence. The ground staff, meanwhile, remained on standby, unable to take the next step until the all-clear was given.
Before the interruption, KKR had reached 25 for 2. Ajinkya Rahane was unbeaten on 8 from 6 balls, with Angkrish Raghuvanshi on 7 from 7, after Xavier Bartlett struck twice early to put the hosts under pressure.
While the rain has stopped for now, the situation remains uncertain. With a thunderstorm alert still in place, officials will first need to complete an inspection before any decision is made on resumption. For the moment, both teams continue to wait as conditions are closely monitored.