Kolkata curator's 180-degree turn after KKR told to leave Eden Gardens: 'No official or player asked for pitch...'
Sujan Mukherjee, the pitch curator of Eden Gardens, did a U-turn, saying he never denied any request from the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) management.
Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee continues to draw flak from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) fans after denying skipper Ajinkya Rahane's request to prepare a spin-friendly track. However, he has now done a U-turn, saying he never denied anything to the franchise as he shares a good relationship with the management and the owners.
The entire episode unfolded after KKR lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 opener in Kolkata. After the defeat, Ajinkya Rahane expressed his wish to see a spin-friendly track at the Eden Gardens so his bowlers could get some assistance.
However, while speaking to RevSportz, Sujan Mukherjee refused to accommodate any such request, saying the condition of the track would never be altered until he remained the curator. He also mocked the performance of KKR's spinners, saying RCB bowlers performed better. This statement made headlines everywhere, and KKR fans expressed their disappointment on social media.
Sujan Mukherjee has now stated that he never denied any request, as no official or KKR player asked for a specific requirement before the fixture against RCB.
"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)," he told Sports Tak.
"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.
'Move the franchise away'
Former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull was not a fan of Sujan Mukherjee's denial of KKR's request, saying the franchise should move base from Kolkata if they cannot get the conditions to their liking.
He stated that the curator's job is not to pass an opinion on the game, rather it is do make the track as per the need of the home franchise.
While speaking to Cricbuzz, he said, "If he (the curator) is 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 of 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," he added.
After losing their tournament opener against RCB, KKR bounced back strongly, registering an eight-wicket win over the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.
