Gujarat Titans Official shuts down pitch debate as IPL 2025 controversy erupts over home ground advantage

The IPL 2025 season has seen its fair share of on-field drama, but a new off-field storm is stirring as several franchises raise concerns over pitch conditions at home venues. Leading the chorus of criticism is Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), who have entered into a public disagreement with the Eden Gardens pitch curator. However, Gujarat Titans (GT) have fired back strongly, with their Chief Operating Officer Colonel Arvinder Singh firmly rejecting the complaints, emphasizing that the rules around pitch preparation are crystal clear.

GT COO’s stern message: ‘Check the rules before complaining’

In an exclusive conversation with TimesofIndia.com, Colonel Arvinder Singh, COO of Gujarat Titans, dismissed the pitch controversy with a blunt response, asserting that franchises have no authority to dictate pitch conditions.

“The rules and regulations on this are very clear and not just from this season. They have been clear right from the very beginning,” Singh said.

“No franchise has any right to say, ‘I want this kind of a pitch.’ That’s not something that the rules allow you to do.”

Singh added that if a team is seeking home advantage, it should come from familiarity with local conditions, not custom-curated surfaces.

“You are supposed to know those conditions better than anybody else… You deserve all the home advantage that you can take. But to say that I need home advantage because I want this kind of a pitch — sorry, I don’t think that cuts any ice with anybody.”

Other franchises unhappy: KKR, LSG, CSK and PBKS join chorus

KKR’s dissatisfaction stems from alleged inconsistencies in the Eden Gardens pitch, which they claim nullify their strengths. Their feud with the pitch curator has spilled into public view.

LSG mentor Zaheer Khan, too, expressed frustration recently, claiming that their home surface in Lucknow seems to favour visiting teams more than the hosts. CSK head coach Stephen Fleming and PBKS bowling coach Trevor Gonsalves have also aired concerns, igniting a broader discussion on pitch neutrality and fairness.

IPL 2025 Playing Conditions: Who really controls the pitch?

Backing Singh’s stance, the IPL’s own Playing Conditions under section 1.11 (‘The Match’) clearly outline the pitch responsibilities:

“Ground authority is the entity responsible for the selection and preparation of the pitch and other functions relating to the hosting and management of the match, including any agents acting on their behalf (including but not limited to the curator or other ground staff).”

This effectively removes franchises from decision-making regarding the nature of the pitch, putting the onus on ground authorities and the IPL governing council.

GT thriving amidst the noise

While the pitch debate rages, Gujarat Titans are letting their cricket do the talking. Under the captaincy of Shubman Gill, GT currently top the IPL 2025 points table with 4 wins from 5 matches. Their success on varied surfaces further strengthens their argument that teams must adapt, rather than demand favorable conditions.

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