Sujan Mukherjee, the pitch curator at Eden Gardens, has been getting a lot of heat after he turned down a request from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane for a spin-friendly pitch. After KKR’s heavy loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in their first game of IPL 2025, Rahane shared his disappointment about the pitch and mentioned he hoped for better conditions for spin bowlers at Eden Gardens. He pointed out that their spinners can adapt to any pitch but would prefer one that supports their style of bowling.
In an interview with RevSportz, Mukherjee stood firm on his decision, noting that franchises can’t dictate pitch conditions. He reminded everyone that the pitches have been consistent since he took over and won’t change anytime soon. He brought up the performance of RCB spinners who took multiple wickets in the match, contrasting that with KKR’s spinners.
Mukherjee faced backlash for his comments, but he later clarified that he didn’t actually deny any requests from KKR. He mentioned that no official from the team specifically asked about the pitch before the first match, and a coach had merely inquired about the pitch’s behavior during practice.
He emphasized that he maintains good relations with KKR and that the pitch was prepared according to the rules set by the BCCI. Mukherjee defended himself against critics, saying they don’t understand the situation.
Former New Zealand player Simon Doull criticized Mukherjee for not considering KKR’s needs, suggesting that if the curator doesn’t listen to the home team, they should consider moving elsewhere. Doull argued that Mukherjee’s role shouldn’t involve passing judgment on the game itself.
After their loss to RCB in the opener, KKR bounced back with a win against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.
