The Eden Gardens pitch has once again become a hot topic in the IPL 2025 season, especially after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) suffered a defeat in their opening match against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). While KKR made a strong comeback with a win against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in Guwahati, conditions favoured their spin attack—something missing at their home ground in Kolkata.
Eden Gardens Pitch Controversy: KKR Captain Ajinkya Rahane Calls for Spin-Friendly Surface
Following the loss to RCB, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed his desire for a pitch that would support spin bowlers. “We would love to see the pitch helping the spin bowlers, but again, this wicket has been under cover for the last one-and-a-half days,” he stated. However, reports suggest that Eden Gardens’ curator, Sujan Mukherjee, has once again refused to tweak the pitch to align with the home team’s preferences.
Former Cricketer Shreevats Goswami Backs Claims Against Curator
Adding fuel to the debate, former Bengal wicketkeeper-batsman Shreevats Goswami made a bold statement regarding the long-standing issue between the Eden Gardens curator and home teams.
“Fact: Nothing new with the Eden garden curator not listening to the home captain. Having played for Bengal for over a decade, have been witness to this from close quarters. As a home team, we would ask for a certain pitch to take the home advantage but would seldom get it. In fact, the curator wouldn’t even let us train at the Eden Gardens, or run rounds because, apparently, the grass would be spoiled. On the other hand, I would see my counterpart Karnataka players running around (the outfield) at Chinnaswamy Stadium,” Goswami wrote on X.
Eden Gardens’ Pitch History: A Challenge for KKR
Sujan Mukherjee has been the chief curator of Eden Gardens for nearly a decade, overseeing a transformation from a slow, spin-friendly surface to a faster, bouncier one that assists pacers. While this has produced competitive matches, it hasn’t always been favorable for home teams like Bengal or KKR, who rely heavily on spin bowling.
KKR, renowned for its strong spin attack for over a decade, has repeatedly voiced concerns over the pitch conditions. During IPL 2023, then-stand-in captain Nitish Rana was the first to highlight the lack of home advantage publicly. In IPL 2025, Ajinkya Rahane echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the need for pitches that suit their playing style.
What’s Next for KKR?
With this ongoing dispute over the pitch, whether the Eden Gardens surface will eventually favour KKR’s spinners remains to be seen. The Rahane-led team will next face Mumbai Indians on March 31, and all eyes will be on the pitch conditions.
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