‘Nothing new with curator not listening to home captain’: Former Bengal cricketer sparks debate over Eden Gardens pitch controversy | Cricket News
A view of the Eden Gardens stadium. (ANI Photo) NEW DELHI: Former Bengal cricketer Shreevats Goswami has added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee and Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Goswami took to social media platform X, claiming that the curator’s reluctance to heed home team requests is not a new issue.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!”Fact: Nothing new with the Eden Garden curator not listening to the home captain. Having played for Bengal over a decade, I have witnessed this up close. As a home team, we would request a certain pitch to gain home advantage but would seldom get it. In fact, the curator wouldn’t even let us train in Eden Gardens or run rounds because apparently, the ‘grass would be spoiled’. Meanwhile, I would see Karnataka players running around in Chinnaswamy Stadium!” Goswami wrote.In response to mounting criticism, Mukherjee has clarified his stance, insisting he maintains a positive relationship with KKR’s management and owners. He also refuted claims that KKR requested specific pitch conditions for their IPL 2025 opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.”No official or player asked for pitch requirements. A coach merely inquired about the pitch’s behaviour. I said, ‘Ghumega bhi aur accha chalega’ (the pitch will turn, and it will be good for batting),” Mukherjee told SportsTak.Mukherjee emphasised that he follows BCCI guidelines, dismissing accusations as baseless. “I never denied anything to KKR. We have been in good relations for a long time. Those who are accusing me know nothing.”Vyshak Vijaykumar reveals how Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh backed his ‘wide yorkers’ planThe controversy follows comments from former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull, who argued that curators should prioritise home team requirements over offering personal opinions on pitch conditions.KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane, after the RCB game, had expressed a preference for more spin-friendly conditions at Eden Gardens but stopped short of outright criticism. When asked about Rahane’s remarks, Mukherjee initially defended his stance.”As per IPL rules, franchises have no say over pitch preparation. Since I have taken charge, the pitches here have remained the same,” he said.He also pointed out that RCB’s spinners capitalised on the surface, questioning KKR’s performance. “Their spinners took four wickets. What did KKR’s spinners do? Krunal Pandya got three wickets. Suyash Sharma turned the ball to castle Andre Russell.”Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India, including match schedules, team squads, points table and IPL live score for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Don’t miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap.
