KKR's Venky Mysore rips apart BCCI in an OPEN LETTER

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have raised their concerns regarding the IPL’s recent decision to extend the season by an extra 120 minutes to compensate for rain delays. KKR’s CEO, Venky Mysore, criticized the rule change, adding it should have been applied from the moment the IPL resumed on May 17.

The T20 tournament was suspended for one week due to the India-Pakistan tension. It resumed with a match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday, May 17. However, the match was called off before the toss, and KKR's chances of qualifying ended.

Would Have Expected More Consistency - KKR's Venky Mysore

To cope with unfavourable weather conditions, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) revised the playing conditions for the final phase. The IPL governing council extended the allowable time for the last nine league matches by 120 minutes to reduce the impact of rain delays.

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However, Venky Mysore was not impressed with the rule change in the mid-season. In a letter to BCCI COO Hemang Amin, Mysore questioned the timing and fairness of the decision, adding that there should be more consistency.

"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," Mysore wrote in the letter as per Cricbuzz.

It Was Clear That the First Game Was at High Risk - Venky Mysore

Venky Mysore stated that the revised rain rule could have made a difference in KKR’s match against RCB had it been introduced earlier. He added that it might have allowed time for at least a five-over-per-side game in the rain-affected fixture.

"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)."

The match between Bengaluru and Kolkata was officially abandoned at 10:30 PM IST, just 26 minutes before the standard cut-off time for completion.

Under the updated rules, any of the remaining IPL 2025 matches can begin at 9:30 PM without losing overs due to weather interruptions. Earlier, teams would start losing overs if play hadn’t begun by 8:30 PM.

Not Appropriate for a Tournament of This Standing - Venky Mysore

Kolkata Knight Riders are currently sixth on the points table with 12 points from 13 matches. Notably, two of their fixtures were washed out due to rain. With only one game left, they can reach a maximum of 14 points. The CEO called the late introduction of the revised rain rule inconsistent.

"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. I am sure you also understand why we feel aggrieved," Mysore said.

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