Tussle between Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee and KKR continues as Ajinkya Rahane takes a dig at Mukherjee.
There is no end in sight for the Eden Garden curator Sujan Mukherjee vs KKR saga. Days after Mukherjee refused to prepare pitches as per the demand of the home team, Kolkata Knight Riders, the team’s captain, Ajinkya Rahane has taken a dig. Despite Mukherjee softening his stance after saying “franchises have no say in pitch as per rules and regulations”, Rahane said the curator had received enough publicity and he did not want to give him anymore.
“There has been enough talk about the wicket. You guys have publicized it enough. Main kuchh bolunga toh bawal ho jayega (If I say anything, there will be chaos). I will just let it be. Our curator has got great publicity. He is happy with the publicity. You write whatever you want about the home advantage. If I feel I have to say anything, I will inform IPL and talk to the concerned authorities,” Ajinkya Rahane said at the post-match press conference after KKR’s loss against Lucknow Super Giants on Tuesday.
Heart of the matter
Rahane was not happy with how the Eden Gardens pitch played out in their loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the first game. He said, “We would love to see the pitch helping the spin bowlers.”
It prompted a reaction from Sujan Mukherjee. In an interview with RevSportz, Mukherjee said, “As per IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch.” He went on to cite RCB’s spinners as an example, implying that KKR’s spinners should adapt to the conditions.
While KKR stayed silent on the matter, it did not go down well with fans and pundits. Fans lashed out at Mukherjee on social media, while former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull also hit back, saying franchises pay a fee for the venue and the curator must listen to their demands.
Following that, Mukherjee seemed to soften his stance on the pitch row. In the following interviews, he claimed that no one from KKR reached out to him for a preferred pitch.
Sujan Mukherjee vs KKR Timeline
March 18, 2025: Calm before storm
Ahead of the IPL 2025 season, KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit was observed in a lengthy discussion with Sujan Mukherjee at Eden Gardens. While the specifics weren’t disclosed, this interaction suggested ongoing communication about pitch preparation.
March 22, 2025 – IPL 2025 opener (KKR vs RCB):
KKR, led by new captain Ajinkya Rahane, faced Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens. RCB chased 175 with ease, winning by 7 wickets, thanks to Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 59. Post-match, Rahane expressed disappointment, noting the pitch didn’t assist spinners as hoped, especially after being under covers for 1.5 days due to rain. He subtly requested a spin-friendly track, saying, “We would love to see the pitch helping the spin bowlers.”
March 27-28, 2025 – Curator’s initial stance and backlash:
Mukherjee, in an interview with RevSportz, firmly rejected altering the pitch, stating, “As per IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch.” He added that KKR’s spinners should adapt.
This stance drew criticism. Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull, on Cricbuzz, argued that KKR, as the home team paying stadium fees, deserved input on pitch conditions. He suggested KKR relocate if their requests continued to be ignored.
Ex-Indian cricketer Shreevats Goswami added fuel, claiming Mukherjee had historically ignored Bengal players’ requests and even restricted practice at Eden to preserve the outfield.
March 28, 2025 – Mukherjee’s U-turn:
Amid mounting pressure, Mukherjee softened his position in a follow-up RevSportz statement. He clarified, “No official or player asked for pitch changes,” and emphasized his good relationship with KKR’s management and owners (Shah Rukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Jay Mehta). He hinted at openness to KKR’s viewpoint, with reports suggesting “a bit more turn” might be offered for the upcoming April 3 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).
April 3, 2025 – KKR vs SRH Match:
KKR played SRH at Eden Gardens. Mukherjee offered KKR a choice between a “dry pitch” and an “even drier pitch,” with KKR opting for the latter, indicating some compromise. KKR posted 200/6 (Venkatesh Iyer 60 off 29) and won, with the pitch showing some turn.
April 8, 2025 – Rahane takes a dig at Mukherjee
Following KKR’s loss to LSG, Rahane said he did not want to talk about home advantage or the pitch. He also hinted at complaining to IPL authorities about the pitch and Sujan Mukherjee’s comment.
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