Bengaluru | Royal Challengers Bengaluru moved a step closer to the IPL playoffs, while defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders were knocked out of the race as incessant rain washed out their match here on Saturday, forcing the teams to settle for a point apiece.
Rain of varying intensity that started around 6 pm never relented as even the toss could not take place, and the officials eventually called off the game at 10.24 pm.
The Royal Challengers now have 17 points from 12 matches, and a win from their remaining two games will be enough for them to seal a berth in the playoffs.
Currently, they are the table-toppers ahead of Gujarat Titans (16 points).
The RCB will face the already-ousted Sunrisers Hyderabad at home on May 23 followed by the away game against Lucknow Super Giants on May 27.
However, the Knight Riders' stuttering campaign in this IPL season came to an end with this washout.
KKR now have 11 points from 13 matches and it is impossible for them to enter the knockouts even if they win their final league game against Hyderabad to increase their tally to 15 points.
Bengaluru | 'Every single one of us loves you Virat Kohli. Thank you for making Red Ball cricket exciting again' -- read a huge banner unfurled by fans near the Roger Binny Stand.
Despite the relentless rain that washed out Royal Challengers Bengaluru's IPL match against Kolkata Knight Riders, Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday became a beating theatre of white for one man — Virat Kohli, offering a fitting tribute to a cricketer who gave his everything for the format that is played in white.
It was an organic outpouring of affection for a player who placed Test cricket in the public conscience and was its most persuasive ambassador.
It was clear that the day belonged to Kohli as the fans queued up in white outside the stadium as early as 4.30 pm, carrying placards and wearing a white jersey with the famed No. 18 embossed on the back.
They wanted to catch a glimpse of Kohli, who generally sits in the front row of the team bus, hoping to get a glance back or a quick wave.
"Sir, avaru yavaga baruthare? (When will he come?)," an impatient fan would ask a group of scribes while walking through the ever-swelling crowd.
It was not just peak fandom. It mirrored the deep connection the city has developed with Kohli over the last 18 years.
All through these years, Kohli remained an unwavering RCBian, and the red and gold jersey was like a second skin for him.
"For me, the relationship and mutual respect that I have built with RCB over the years is the most valuable thing. Whether we win the trophy or not, it doesn't matter. This is my home," Kohli had said once.
In return, Bengaluru stayed loyal to Kohli even on times when the rest of the cricketing world derided him for his aggression or occasional petulance.
Kohli never had the pan-Indian God-like status of Sachin Tendulkar or was never adopted as 'Thala' as Chennai accepted MS Dhoni.
But he is as Bengalurean as anyone else, as indispensable to the city dwellers as a cup of morning coffee. Kohli has become their habit, an endearing addiction.
It's remarkable too. Karnataka has always been the hub of gentleman cricketers — from GR Viswanath to Anil Kumble to Javagal Srinath to Rahul Dravid, a proud lineage that matches the city's up-collared middle-class values.
But it wholeheartedly took an uber aggressive, non-Kannada speaking cricketer who is not hesitant to spit out a few expletives to the heart, and this strange wedlock should be studied from a socio-cultural angle.
Mo Bobat, the RCB team director, had touched upon that point, the Kohli-fan connection.
"He's about those special moments, those inspiring moments. He did that as captain, as a player, and we're all really proud of him. I'm sure the fans will show him lots of love this week when they see him again," Bobat had said.
However, the evening rains, part of the fast setting in monsoon in this part of the country, nearly undid their display of love.
But, the fans waited patiently — often chanting RCBEEE or Kooohli Kooohli.
Perhaps, it was a collective chant for the rains to move away and give them the chance for 'Kohli Darshan' — the RCB fans' version of 'Thala Darishanam', often used by Chennai Super Kings to describe Dhoni's sightings around the city.
But that moment never came as the skies opened up to washout the match between RCB and KKR.
The faithful had to contend with the visuals of a deeply thoughtful 'King' sitting in the dressing room that was often beamed on the big screen.
They welcomed those small crumbs of consolation with loud cheers, waving the RCB flags.
However, that's all there for them on a rain-drenched night.
But as Phil Collins famously sang there will be 'One More Night' for them to pay a more lively tribute to Kohli on May 23, when RCB face off against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
So, keep your whites dry Bengalurueans!