Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee has faced criticism for allegedly denying Kolkata Knight Riders' request to prepare a spin-friendly pitch for IPL 2025.
After KKR lost their season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, captain Ajinkya Rahane suggested the pitch used in the game at the Eden Gardens was not entirely to his side's liking.
"We would love to see the pitch helping the spin bowlers, but again, this wicket was under cover for the last one-and-a-half days," Rahane said at the press conference. "Both the spinners we have, the quality they have, they can bowl on any kind of wicket, and I am sure they are confident as well."
"As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch. Ever since I have taken charge (as Eden curator), the pitches here have been like this. It was like this in the past. Things haven't changed now, and it will not be altered in the future," Mukherjee was quoted as saying to RevSportz, seemingly in response to Rahane.
"Their (RCB) spinners took four wickets between them. What did the KKR spinners do? Krunal Pandya got three wickets. Suyash Sharma turned the ball to castle Andre Russell."
Mukherjee's comments sparked outrage in a few sections of the cricketing world, with former players and experts slamming his stance, former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull one among them.
"If he (the curator) is not taking heed of what the home team wants... I mean, they are paying the stadium fees, they are paying for what's going on in the IPL," Doull said via Cricbuzz. "But if he's still not paying heed of what the home team wants, then just move the franchise away to somewhere else. His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That's not what he's paid for."
Rahane not the first KKR captain to complain
The recent controversy isn’t the first time Mukherjee has come under the spotlight for disagreeing with a KKR captain. In 2023, Nitish Rana, leading the franchise, also voiced his frustration on the wickets prepared at the Eden Gardens. Rana then had categorically said that every team in the IPL have “home advantage” except KKR.
Mukherjee then lashed out at Rana as well in an interview with the Indian Express, saying "IPL isn't played on home advantage".
Former Bengal cricketer Shreevats Goswami, who also represented KKR in the past, added fuel to the ongoing controversy by claiming Mukherjee never prepared pitches according to the requirements of Bengal, the state team based out of Eden Gardens, either.
Mukherjee clarifies stance amid backlash
Mukherjee clarified his stance after facing severe criticism, stating that he maintains a healthy rapport with KKR's team management and owners. He claimed no KKR official or player had requested specific pitch conditions for the opening match on Saturday (March 22).
"No official or player asked for the pitch requirement for the first match. A coach at the time of practice asked me about the behaviour of the pitch. I said ghumega bhi aur accha chalega (the pitch will turn, and it will be good for batting)," Mukherjee told Sports Tak.
He added: "I never denied anything to KKR. We have been in good relations for a long time. I prepared the pitch as per BCCI guidelines. Those who are accusing me know nothing."
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