Ajinkya Rahane’s demand rejected as internal clash erupts in KKR

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) skipper Ajinkya Rahane expressed his disappointment over the pitch conditions for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). However, Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee confirmed that the pitch conditions will remain unchanged.

The Knight Riders suffered a defeat against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens on Saturday, March 22. Their bowling attack, except for Sunil Narine, failed to make an impact during the match. Narine conceded just 27 runs in his four overs while dismissing Devdutt Padikkal.

Love to See the Pitch Helping the Spin Bowlers – Ajinkya Rahane

Ajinkya Rahane said that he would prefer a pitch that offers assistance to spinners but had no complaints about the conditions. Speaking at the post-match press conference, he pointed out that Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy have the quality to perform well on any surface.

“We would love to see the pitch helping the spin bowlers but again, this wicket was under cover for the last one-and-a-half days. Both the spinners we have, the quality they have, they can bowl in any kind of wicket and I am sure they are confident as well,” Rahane said at the post-match press conference.

It Will Not Be Altered in the Future - Sujan Mukherjee

Sujan Mukherjee stated that IPL franchises have no influence over pitch preparation. He emphasized that since taking charge, the pitch has remained consistent and will not be altered in the future.

“As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch,” he told RevSportz. “Ever since I have taken charge (as Eden curator), the pitches here have been like this. It was like this in the past. Things haven’t changed now, and it will not be altered in the future.”

RCB Spinners Took Four Wickets Between Them- Sujan Mukherjee

Royal Challengers Bengaluru pacer Josh Hazlewood troubled the batters by generating extra bounce. Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine played aggressive strokes during a crucial 103-run second-wicket stand. However, the middle-order batters failed to contribute runs as they managed to score 174 runs.

Sujan Mukherjee stated that RCB’s spinners claimed four wickets. He also pointed out that Suyash Sharma clean-bowled Andre Russell but questioned why KKR’s own spinners couldn’t capitalize on the surface.

“Their (RCB) spinners took four wickets between them,” Mukherjee said. “What did the KKR spinners do? Krunal Pandya got three wickets. Suyash Sharma turned the ball to castle Andre Russell.”

Sujan Mukherjee took charge of the Eden Gardens pitch after Prabir Mukherjee stepped down following a washed-out T20I between India and South Africa on October 8, 2015. Mukherjee was appointed by then Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly and revamped the center square.

Kolkata Knight Riders have previously raised concerns about the pitch conditions. They had no complaints during their successful campaign last season. Stand-in captain Nitish Rana claimed that KKR was the only IPL team without a true home advantage in 2023. Mukherjee dismissed those concerns at the time.

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