Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee’s firm rejection of Ajinkya Rahane’s request for spin-friendly wickets has stirred reactions among cricket pundits. After the KKR vs RCB match, Rahane expressed his desire for a pitch that would support spin, benefiting his team’s strengths. However, Mukherjee firmly rejected this suggestion, stating that the pitch would remain unchanged as long as he remains in charge.
Cricket expert Harsha Bhogle expressed his dissatisfaction with Mukherjee’s response, stating that if he were in the KKR camp, he would have been quite upset by the curator’s comment. Bhogle pointed out that Rahane didn’t ask for an extreme pitch, but it is entirely reasonable to request a surface that aligns with the home team’s advantages.
“If I were part of the KKR setup, I’d be quite disappointed with that statement. It’s not about demanding a 120-run surface, but rather a pitch where my bowlers have a fair chance to impact the game. To say, ‘sorry, we don’t prepare pitches like that…’ No one is asking for an extremely low or high-scoring track, but home advantage in a tournament like the IPL is completely valid. It adds to the competition, making away wins even more significant,” Bhogle shared on a Cricbuzz show.
Simon Doull also expressed his displeasure with the curator’s stance, suggesting that if the curator isn’t willing to give the home team what it needs, KKR should consider relocating their franchise. He added that the curator’s job isn’t to voice personal opinions but to cater to the needs of the game. “If he’s unwilling to accommodate what the home team desires, perhaps it’s time to move the franchise elsewhere. He’s not there to share his personal views on the game that’s not what he’s getting paid for,” Doull asserted.
Despite losing their opening match to RCB, KKR quickly recovered, securing a solid win over Rajasthan Royals in their next encounter.