Kolkata Knight Riders have raised concerns over the IPL governing council’s recent decision to extend match time by an additional 120 minutes for the remainder of the season to mitigate the impact of rain interruptions. This move, aimed at ensuring more matches are completed amid monsoon disruptions and a revised tournament schedule, has stirred discontent within the KKR camp.
According to a sports portal, KKR CEO Venky Mysore conveyed his disappointment in an official communication, questioning why the rule adjustment wasn’t applied from the day the league resumed on May 17.
The IPL had been suspended for a week due to the India-Pakistan conflict and resumed with a revised fixture that saw Royal Challengers Bengaluru hosting Kolkata Knight Riders at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Unfortunately, that match was abandoned without a toss due to persistent rain, resulting in a point each for both the sides and consequently ending KKR’s slim hopes of making it to the playoffs.
The toss had been delayed due to rain and despite waiting, the match was officially called off at 10:30 PM IST, just 26 minutes before the regulation deadline for match completion. Venky Mysore pointed out that had the new rule regarding the 120-minute extension been enforced earlier, there was a strong chance that even a five-over match could have been staged, giving KKR a fighting chance to stay in the competition.
He stated that while mid-season rule changes may sometimes be necessary given unforeseen circumstances, the inconsistent application of such adjustments undermines fairness. Venky Mysore emphasised that weather forecasts had already indicated a strong likelihood of rain in Bengaluru on May 17, making it even more crucial to have contingency measures like extended playtime in place from the outset of the resumed schedule.
He added that the abandonment of that match ultimately dashed KKR’s playoff hopes and that the ad hoc nature of the decision-making reflected poorly on a league of IPL’s stature. While concluding, Venky Mysore expressed the franchise’s frustration, stating that it was clear why they felt wronged by the delayed implementation of a rule that might have altered their season’s outcome.
