Rain, thunderstorm could play spoilsport at IPL opening jamboree

After upsetting the practice session, rain and thunderstorm could play spoilsport at the opening ceremony of the Indian Premier League (IPL), slated to be held at the Salt Lake stadium here on Tuesday, according to the Met Office forecast.

The two-hour gala featuring Bollywood stars Farhan Akhtar, Shahid Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Pritam and Hrithik Roshan is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m.

Regional Meteorological Centre director G.C. Debnath said that apart from the showers, there is a high chance of a thunderstorm striking Kolkata and the surrounding 50 km area in the afternoon.

"There is a high possibility of rain and thunderstorm around Kolkata and surrounding 50 km on Tuesday especially in the afternoon and evening. It is difficult to say if it will affect Salt Lake but chances are high," Debnath said.

A thunderstorm on Sunday affected Kolkata Knight Riders' practice at the Eden Gardens which turned soggy. The Knight Riders' cricketers had to be content with a work out at the Pankaj Gupta indoor stadium located within the Eden Gardens premises.

The same thing happened on Monday when visiting team Mumbai Indians also went inside the indoor facility following heavy rains. However, they came on to the ground after some time for a football session on the drenched ground.

The weatherman's forecast has already increased the creases on the foreheads of the organisers, who are particularly concerned about the smooth conduct of a light and laser show -- supposed to be the main attraction of the ceremony -- in the event of a thunderstorm.

All eight team captains will be present at the function to take the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) Spirit of Cricket pledge.

Gautam Gambhir, captain of defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, will put the trophy back in play, signalling the start of the 2015 season.