Rahane vs Eden Gardens Curator: Captain's Pitch Request Sparks Controversy

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane has found himself at odds with Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee after the veteran groundsman refused to tweak the playing surface to favor spin.

Following KKR’s disappointing seven-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 opener, Rahane reportedly requested a pitch that would better suit his team’s strengths, particularly their spinners. However, Mukherjee, who has overseen the Eden Gardens surface for nearly a decade, shut down the suggestion immediately. 

"As long as I’m here, the Eden Gardens pitch will not change," Mukherjee told RevSportz. The experienced curator, appointed by then-CAB president Sourav Ganguly in 2015, stood firm, stating that IPL franchises have no influence over pitch preparation. "As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch," Mukherjee explained. "Ever since I have taken charge, 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’s stance hasn’t sat well with many, including former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull and cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle. Doull went as far as suggesting that KKR should consider moving to a venue where they could actually benefit from a "home advantage." Bhogle, meanwhile, pointed out that Rahane wasn’t asking for a raging turner – just a surface that would give spinners some assistance. 

Historically, KKR’s best seasons, including their IPL title wins in 2012 and 2014 under Gautam Gambhir, were built on strong spin-friendly conditions at Eden Gardens. The franchise has always relied on quality spinners, and with the current pitch not favoring them, frustration is creeping in. After the loss to RCB, Rahane had hinted at his dissatisfaction, saying: "We would love to see the pitch helping the spin bowlers, but again, this wicket was under covers for the last one-and-a-half days." 

KKR did manage to bounce back with a win against Rajasthan Royals in their next game, but the debate over Eden Gardens' pitch is far from over. With Rahane leading a team built around spinners, the question remains – will KKR be able to make the most of their "home" advantage, or will the Eden surface continue to work against them?