Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) were knocked out of the IPL 2025 playoff race after their match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) was washed out on May 17. To deal with bad weather during the final stretch of the league, the BCCI had added an extra 60 minutes of buffer time for the last nine matches. However, this move didn’t sit well with KKR CEO Venky Mysore, who reportedly sent a strongly worded letter to BCCI COO Hemang Amin, seeking clarification on the decision.
With the new rule in place, matches that are supposed to start at 7:30 PM can now begin as late as 9:30 PM without losing any overs. Earlier, there was just a one-hour buffer – if play didn’t start by 8:30 PM, overs would be cut. Now, even a five-over match can be played close to midnight if needed. This change was made after a meeting of the IPL Governing Council and kicked in immediately, just as the league entered its final eight group-stage games.
“While these mid-season changes to the rules may be necessary under the circumstances, one would have expected more consistency in the way such changes are being applied,” wrote KKR CEO Venky Mysore in an email to IPL COO Hemang Amin.
KKR CEO Points Out Missed Opportunity Due to Delayed Rule Implementation
Mysore highlighted that if the new rule had been introduced during the one-week break in the tournament, it could have applied to the KKR vs RCB game too. He mentioned that there was still a possibility of having a five-overs-per-side match that evening, which might have kept KKR’s playoff hopes alive.
“When the IPL re-started (on May 17), it was clear that the first game on May 17 KKR vs RCB was at high risk of being interrupted due to rain in B’lore. The forecast was there for all to see. Not only was the game washed out, but the additional 120 minutes now being applied may have provided a chance of at least a 5 over a side game (sic).”
KKR’s Playoff Hopes Washed Out, Rule Change Sparks Controversy
KKR currently sit sixth on the points table with 12 points from 12 games with two of their matches being washed out due to rain. Venky Mysore called the rule change “inconsistent” and felt that the timing of its implementation was unfair, especially since it didn’t benefit teams affected earlier by similar conditions.
“The washout ended KKR’s chances of making the playoffs. Such ad hoc decisions and inconsistencies of applying them are not appropriate for a tournament of this standing,” Mysore said, adding, “I am sure you also understand why we feel aggrieved.”
To put it simply, the rule change now allows any of the remaining matches to start as late as 9:30 PM without losing any overs if rain delays the start. Earlier, if play didn’t begin by 8:30 PM, overs would be reduced. This extra time could help teams still fighting for a playoff spot like Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals. With rain expected in Mumbai, their game at Wankhede might not start on time, but even a five-over match could now begin close to midnight if needed.
