Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee has reiterated his stance on providing home advantage to KKR and has said that the franchise cannot have a say. His remarks come amid the row over not providing a spin-friendly surface to the defending champions, thereby denying them advantage in their home ground. The curator categorically stated that it was impossible to accommodate all the requests of KKR, while not completely ruling out the possibility of preparing a pitch in their favour.
No complete home advantage for KKR: Kolkata pitch curator
Speaking to RevSportz in an interview, Mukherjee cited the BCCI guidelines in terms of preparation of pitch to show that IPL franchises had no say in it. He claimed that the surface at Eden Gardens did provide turn. However, he said that he will not be able to accept the request of KKR entirely, adding that he was accountable.
“There is turn. Let me see if they come and talk to me. I cannot accommodate their entire request as I’m also answerable,” Mukherjee said.
“No question on bonding with KKR”
Earlier this week, Mukherjee had claimed that he had not been approached by any KKR player or coach seeking a pitch requirement. The KKR curator had said that he had instead told one of the support staff about how the pitch would behave. He categorically stated that there was no question about bonding between the team and the curator over the pitch, adding that KKR knew how they played on the surface.
“There is no question on bonding. They (KKR) know how they played and we know how our wicket behaved. Our association knows. Otherwise how will the galleries be full,” Mukherjee added.
“Don’t care about Bhogle and Doull”
Simon Doull and Harsha Bhogle had earlier criticized the curator for denying home advantage to KKR.
Responding to them, he said, ““I mind only when spectators say something. I’m not bothered by what Bhogle or Doull say.”
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