The Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee has come under fire for his remarks on KKR captain Rahane’s request for a spin-friendly pitch. Following the KKR vs RCB, IPL 2025 tournament opener, the home side captain had remarked that the team would love to see a surface helping the spinners. However, Mukherjee – who is known for his vociferous nature – had retorted saying that the pitch will not change as long as he is in-charge. This didn’t sit well with some experts.
“Can’t give his opinion”
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull were critical of the Kolkata curator’s adamant remarks. Noting that he was extremely unhappy with his statement, Bhogle said that the team was just asking for a surface which their bowlers could win games for the team on. He stressed that home advantage was extremely crucial for a team in the IPL so that they won’t have the pressure of winning the away games.
“I saw something that the KKR curator said. If I am in the KKR team, then I’m extremely unhappy with what he has said. Because I’m not asking for a 120 surface, I’m just saying give me a surface that my bowlers will be able to win me teams on. And to say ‘sorry, I’ll prepare the pitches, you don’t’, no!,” Bhogle said.
Doull came down hard on Mukherjee’s remarks and said that he wasn’t being paid to voice his opinion.
“If he is not taking heed of what the home team wants, then just move your franchise away to somewhere else. His job is not to pass opinion on a game. That’s not what he’s getting paid for,” Doull said.
Harsha Bhogle: No-one is asking the curator to dig up the pitch and make 120 pitches.
— KKR Vibe (@KnightsVibe) March 26, 2025
Simon Doull: He(Curator )is not paid to give his opinion on the game.
Watch how big cricket experts are reacting on the illogical statements of Sujan Mukherjeepic.twitter.com/xRaJx4H5bu
What KKR’s curator had said
“As long as I’m here, Eden Gardens pitch will not change. As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch. Ever since I have taken charge, the pitches here have been like this. RCB) spinners took four wickets between them. What did the KKR spinners do?,” the Eden Gardens curator had remarked after KKR’s loss to RCB.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
India squad for England Tests: Shreyas Iyer, Sai Sudharsan & Rajat Patidar in contention
Top Stories
