The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) management don’t see eye to eye, it seems. There has been an ongoing controversy over the pitch at KKR’s home ground, the Eden Gardens. Curator Sujan Mukherjee had allegedly denied making a surface as per KKR’s instructions.
KKR vs Eden Gardens curator
KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane had openly stated that he’d like for that to change. “We would love to see the pitch helping the spin bowlers,” Rahane said.
KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit had stated something similar as well. Taking a shot at Sujan, he’d said, “At the moment, what I understand is the surface which is given to us, as a team management, as a coach, as a captain; probably we expect something (helpful) to be provided. So, that’s all.”
There was a controversy, and Eden Gardens curator backtracked from his position. Sujan stated that he’d never denied any request from the management. Amid all of this, KKR will play their second Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season in Kolkata.
KKR management out of sync
Before facing Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 3, KKR mentor DJ Bravo addressed the press. Asked about his opinions on the pitch at Eden Gardens, the 4-time IPL champion stated that the surface doesn’t matter. Completely going against what Rahane and Pandit said before.
“For me, you turn up, you play. The team that plays the best will win – whether it’s slow, it’s turning, or not turning. For me, my language to the players will always be to make the necessary adjustments for the conditions. And what helps us with home advantage is the fans. I think that is more important than how the pitch plays. I will not really comment much about pitches. Once the fans are there into the game and cheering us on, that makes a difference,” Bravo told reporters in Kolkata.
