Persistent rain disrupted the start of the IPL 2026 match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians at the Assam Cricket Association Stadium in Barsapara on Tuesday evening.
Showers continued for several hours from early afternoon, leading the ground staff to keep the pitch and outfield fully covered to prevent damage.
Despite a slight increase in drizzle around the scheduled start time of 7:30 PM, ground personnel began uncovering portions of the field, particularly near the side wickets, to speed up preparations.
Ground staff kept sections of the ground covered while bringing the super sopper into action to remove accumulated water and improve playing conditions.
Match referees were set to review the situation and determine when the toss could take place. A full match remained possible if play began before 8:30 PM, with no reduction in overs required.
Rajasthan Royals entered the contest with strong form, having secured victories in both their matches so far, and aimed to continue their winning streak at their second home venue.
Mumbai Indians, on the other hand, opened their campaign with a win against Kolkata Knight Riders but faced a setback in their next game against Delhi Capitals, and were seeking a return to form.
The fixture has drawn attention for the expected duel between leading fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and emerging young batter Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
The 15-year-old has made a strong impression with his attacking style, including a century and an impressive number of sixes, particularly against pace bowling.
Cricket fans are eagerly waiting to see how the youngster fares against Bumrah's pace and accuracy. For now, the rain interruption has postponed the much-anticipated contest, keeping spectators on hold.