Ajinkya Rahane vs Kolkata Knight Riders Pitch Curator- KKR instructed to relocate all their home matches

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull has criticized the Eden Gardens pitch curator over his controversial remarks during IPL 2025. The commentator said that Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) should consider shifting their home base if they are unable to get pitches that suit their strengths in the tournament.

Kolkata Knight Riders' team management was left frustrated with the pitch conditions at Eden Gardens following their defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 opener. However, pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee stated that the nature of the surface would remain unchanged despite Ajinkya Rahane's request.

Kolkata Knight Riders Outplayed by Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Kolkata Knight Riders struggled to defend their total of 175 runs in their first match. Spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy failed to make a significant impact. The duo managed just two wickets while conceding 70 runs in their combined eight overs, as RCB comfortably chased down the target in 16.2 overs.

However, RCB’s spin attack delivered on the surface. Left-arm spinner Krunal Pandya produced a match-winning spell of 3/29, while leg-spinner Suyash Sharma dismissed Andre Russell. Following the defeat, Ajinkya Rahane stated that the lack of turn prevented Narine and Chakaravarthy from making an impact.

Just Move the Franchise Away to Somewhere Else - Simon Doull

Simon Doull said that the home team's requirements should be taken into account when preparing the surface. He further added that the curator's role is not to share opinions on how the game should be played.

"If he's not taking heed of what the home team wants... I mean they are paying the stadium fees, they are paying for what's going on in the IPL but if he's still not paying heed of what the home team wants, then just move the franchise away to somewhere else," Doull said on Cricbuzz.

"His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That's not what he's paid for," he added.

I'm Extremely Unhappy With What He Said - Harsha Bhogle

During the discussion, veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle stated that home teams should have pitches tailored to their bowlers' strengths. He emphasized that teams aren’t asking for extreme conditions for Kolkata Knight Riders but rather a balanced surface where their bowlers can perform effectively.

"RR, if they are playing at home, should get the tracks that they think are suited for their bowlers. So too with KKR. I saw something what the Kolkata Knight Riders curator has said. If I'm in the KKR camp, I'm extremely unhappy of what he said because I'm not asking for a 120 surface," Bhogle said on Cricbuzz.

"I'm just saying, give me a surface where my bowlers can win matches. To say, 'sorry, we don't prepare pitches like that...' No. We are not asking you to make a 120 pitch, we are not asking you to make a 240 pitch. But I think home advantage in a tournament like IPL is absolutely legitimate. That will enhance the tournament because winning away becomes crucial then," he added.

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