Persistent rain in Durban played a real spoilsport as the high-profile match between Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians was called off without a single ball being bowled at the Kingsmead Stadium on Tuesday.

Cricket fans across the globe were anxiously waiting for the revival of the legendary on-field battle between Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar, but in vain.

Mumbai Indians had defeated last year's runners-up Chennai Super Kings in their opening match on Saturday by 19 runs, while Rajasthan Royals were handed a 75-run loss by Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Since the match was abandoned, the two teams shared points. With this point-split, Warne's warriors opened their account in the standings and are placed seventh. Mumbai, on the other hand, have moved to the top of the table with three points in their kitty.

Earlier, the rain truncated the first match of the day between Kings XI Punjab and Kolkata Knight Riders. In reply to Punjab's 158 run, Knight Riders were 79/1 when rain interrupted the play. With Duckworth-Lewis method coming into the picture, Knight Riders won the match by 11 runs.