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Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee has addressed the criticism he has received regarding his failure to create spin-friendly pitches for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
The issue arose after KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed dissatisfaction with the home pitch conditions at Eden Gardens following their loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 season opener. In that match, KKR spinner Varun Chakaravarthy conceded 43 runs in just four overs.
Mukherjee clarified that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) guidelines grant the pitch curator the ultimate authority over pitch conditions, ensuring that franchises and players do not influence this process. Only the BCCI chief curator has the power to intervene if necessary.
“According to BCCI regulations, the chief curator of the host association, under the oversight of the BCCI-appointed venue curator, is tasked with preparing the pitch and maintaining the ground during IPL matches. They hold the final decision on both practice and match pitches, similar to the protocols in first-class cricket in India. The guidelines explicitly state that franchises and players have no involvement in pitch preparation. The BCCI chief curator is available for consultation and can intervene if any issues arise,” he stated.
Commentator Harsha Bhogle and former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull have been vocal in their criticism of Mukherjee for not providing KKR with a pitch conducive to spin bowling at Eden Gardens. Doull even suggested that KKR might need to consider relocating their home ground if this pattern persists. In light of these comments, Mukherjee has now responded firmly.
(Newsroom staff only edited this story for style from a syndicated feed)
