Not a Single Ball Bowled: When Rain Steals the IPL Matches

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is famous for its fast-paced cricket games that are full of dramatic moments. Nevertheless, the weather can also ruin the best-laid plans. During the years, there were a few instances when the whole IPL matches were postponed without a single ball being bowled, due to rain or any other unforeseen situation.

Kolkata Knight riders vs Gujrat Titans (Ahmedabad, 2024):

The most recent instance of this was on May 13, 2024, when the expected battle between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was cancelled because of the heavy rains. The toss was impossible to hold, the unyielding downpour made the ground unplayable, hence the first-ever washout of an IPL match without any play in the 2024 season.

The weather gods had a history of interfering with the IPL. Here are a few more examples of previous matches that ended before a ball was bowled:

Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders (Delhi, 2008):

The Delhi Capitals, formerly known as the Delhi Daredevils, were scheduled to play the Kolkata Knight Riders in Delhi back in 2008. However, the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground was rendered unusable for play due to persistent heavy rain, resulting in a washout.

Interestingly, there were a number of cancelled matches in the 2009 Indian Premier League as a result of rain:

• The first washout happened in Durban, South Africa, during the game between the Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians.
• Rain also affected two more games later in the season: Chennai Super Kings vs. Kolkata Knight Riders in Cape Town
• Royal Challengers Bangalore vs. Rajasthan Royals in Bangalore.

Other Washouts:

A few other games have been abandoned due to rain throughout the years, including the match between the

• Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals in 2011,
• The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Deccan Chargers in 2012, and
• The Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals in 2015
• A security issue also caused the 2017 Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Sunrisers Hyderabad match to be canceled
• In 2019, Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Rajasthan Royals match abandoned due to weather issue.