Kolkata Curator Denied Us Training at Eden Gardens: Ex-Indian Cricketer Fuels KKR Pitch Controversy

Kolkata Curator Denied Us Training at Eden Gardens: Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee was criticised by fans and experts alike after he said that no franchise will dictate terms to him when it comes to the preparation of the wicket. Mukherjee's reaction, given to RevSportz, came after Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane shared his dissatisfaction with not getting a spin-friendly pitch against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

“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,” Rahane said at the post-match press conference. “Both the spinners we have, the quality they have, they can bowl on any kind of wicket, and I am sure they are confident as well.”

Speaking to RevSportz, Mukherjee said he was not going to make any changes and even gave the example of the RCB spinners.

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"As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch. 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," Mukherjee told RevSportz.

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

However, Mukherjee, who has been facing a lot of flak over his remarks, has backtracked from his previous remarks, saying that he never denied any request from KKR.

"No official or player asked for the pitch requirement for the first match. A coach at the time of practice asked me about the behaviour of the pitch. I said ghumega bhi aur accha chalega (the pitch will turn, and it will be good for batting)," Mukherjee told Sports Tak.

Mukherjee also insisted he has good relations with everyone at KKR, adding that the pitch was prepared as per the BCCI's guidelines.

"I never denied anything to KKR. We have been in good relations for a long time. I prepared the pitch as per BCCI guidelines. Those who are accusing me know nothing," he added.

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Sujan's comments irritated former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull, who was analysing the match on Cricbuzz. Doull snapped at the curator, stating that he was not being paid to give his opinion on the game. He went even further, opining that KKR should move away from Eden if necessary, if they are not getting the ideal conditions suited to their strength.

“If he’s (the curator) 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 to what the home team wants, then just move the franchise away to somewhere else. His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That’s not what he’s paid for,” Doull added on Cricbuzz while analysing the first two KKR matches.

Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle added to Doull's observations, stating that if he was in the KKR camp, he would be really unhappy right now with the words that came out of the curator's mouth.

“If they are playing at home, they should get the tracks that they think are suited for their bowlers. I saw something that the KKR curator has said. If I’m in the KKR camp, I’m extremely unhappy with what he said because I’m not asking for a 120 surface. 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 the IPL is absolutely legitimate. That will enhance the tournament because winning away becomes crucial then,” Bhogle added to Doull's comments.

But what did Sujan Mukherjee actually say? And was the backlash to his words even justified?

“As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch,” the Eden pitch curator 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.”

He then proceeded to berate the KKR spinners.

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

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