'It felt bad...' - Eden Gardens Curator Speaks Out on IPL Pitch Controversy

The curator feels that the players aren't using the surface effectively enough, despite the fact that the defending Indian Premier League (IPL) champions, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), would prefer a pitch that is more suitable for their spinners, Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, and others. The matter has generated a lot of comments after KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane mentioned that the curator of Eden Gardens may help him prepare a spin-friendly track. Even pundits Simon Doull and Harsha Bhogle have voiced their ideas.

After just one IPL 2025 match, the ground at Kolkata's famous Eden Gardens came under scrutiny. The flat pitch used in the opening match between KKR and RCB stayed true to the hitters and gave the spinners very little help. Ajinkya Rahane, the captain of KKR, publicly demanded a spin-friendly pitch for the forthcoming home games as a result. Sujan Mukherjee, however, rejected Rahane's requests for a spin-friendly surface, asserting that franchises have no control over the pitch's characteristics and that the pitch will not change.

IPL Pitch Controversy Update:

Doull even suggested that KKR should leave Eden Gardens and locate a new location where the curators will take into account their preferred pitch. Sujan Mukherjee, the curator of Eden Gardens, believes he does not need to hear Harsha and Doull's opinions on the subject because his role is limited to carrying out the tasks outlined in the BCCI standards.

The curator said, "As per the BCCI guidelines, it is clearly mentioned that the pitch and ground preparation for all IPL regular season matches is the responsibility of the chief curator of the host association under the guidance from the BCCI-appointed venue curator, and they will be the sole decision-maker regarding the nomination of practice and match pitches, as is the case for first-class matches in India. It is also instructed that the franchises and players shall not have any say in the preparation of the wicket. The BCCI chief curator is available to give any advice that is required and will also be able to intervene if any issues arise."

He added, "I do not have to bother about what Harsha Bhogle or Simon Doull said. What matters to me is what the spectators and my association say about the wicket. I am accountable to the BCCI for producing a good sporting wicket. I do not follow social media. But when I heard what was being said about me, it felt bad. I have always tried to prepare a sporting track where there is something for everyone - batters, pacers and spinners. There was a turn on offer in the pitch for the first match against RCB. And KKR have good pacers on their side like last season. All I am trying to say is if you watch the first match, there was some turn as well, especially the way Andre Russell got dismissed. I repeat that there was a spin on offer for the first game against RCB. It is up to the players to utilise the conditions."

The curator concluded by saying, "There has been help for the spinners here. If we make rank turners, then it might backfire. Spectators come to the ground to watch a good entertaining cricket where there is help for everyone. There will be a bit more help for the spinners in the upcoming matches. Everyone is welcome to me. Even the association is always willing to help. There has always been a good rapport between the state association (CAB) and the franchise. The KKR management also has a fair idea about the wicket and conditions on offer at Eden over the last few seasons since I took charge. Once the team returns from Mumbai, surely, we can have a discussion, and I will see what best I can do."

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