IPL: Heavy rain delays make-or-break tie for RCB

Heavy downpour on Wednesday evening has delayed a crucial league tie for hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Chinnaswamy stadium here.

"As it is still raining, toss will be held only after it stops and umpires inspect the ground to assess its condition to start play," a Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) spokesman told IANS here.

The toss was to be held at 7:30 p.m. and the match was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

Though the 22-yard pitch and most of the ground has been covered with tarpaulins, heavy rain for over an hour from 6:30 p.m. onwards, flooded the outer field and kept hundreds of fans away from the stadium.

With the depression in the Bay of Bengal advancing into the state's southern region from the east, a cloudy day turned into a rainy night with lightning and thunderstorm lashing the city, which witnessed a worst-ever summer this year.

With 12 points from six wins in 12 games, the home team is at fifth position in the points table and waiting to win this make-or-break match against Punjab for moving up the table for a place in the play-offs next week.

RCB will play their last league tie against Delhi DareDevils on May 22 at Raipur for a must win to keep their hopes of playing in the play-offs alive.

--IANS

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