Simon Doull Lashes Out at Eden Gardens Pitch Curator

Former New Zealand cricketer and renowned commentator Simon Doull has criticized the Eden Gardens pitch curator, Sujan Mukherjee, for refusing to prepare a pitch that aligns with Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) strengths. Doull’s remarks came after Mukherjee dismissed KKR’s request for a spin-friendly surface, asserting that the franchise has no say in pitch preparation. Harsha Bhogle also weighed in on the matter, agreeing with Doull’s stance and emphasizing the importance of home advantage in the IPL.

Doull Criticizes Pitch Curator’s Decision

Doull, speaking on Cricbuzz, expressed strong disapproval of the pitch curator’s decision and questioned why KKR was not given the liberty to request conditions that favor their team. He argued that since the franchise pays the stadium fees, their input should be considered.

“If he’s (the curator) 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 to 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,” Doull remarked.

Harsha Bhogle Supports Doull’s Argument

Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle echoed Doull’s sentiment, stating that teams should be allowed to have a reasonable home advantage. He clarified that KKR is not asking for an extremely slow turner or a high-scoring pitch but rather a balanced surface where their bowlers can be effective.

“If I’m in the KKR camp, I’m extremely unhappy with what he said because I’m not asking for a 120-run surface. I’m just saying, give me a surface where my bowlers can win matches. To say, ‘Sorry, we don’t prepare pitches like that…’ No. We are not asking you to make a 120 pitch, we are not asking you to make a 240 pitch. But I think home advantage in a tournament like IPL is absolutely legitimate. That will enhance the tournament because winning away becomes crucial then,” Bhogle stated.

The Debate on Home Advantage in the IPL

Home advantage has been a long-standing topic of discussion in the IPL. Several teams have leveraged their home conditions to build a strong record at their respective venues. For example, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) have historically thrived on slow, turning pitches at Chepauk, while Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have enjoyed high-scoring conditions at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

However, Eden Gardens has traditionally been known for producing batting-friendly wickets, despite KKR having quality spinners in their squad. With the franchise hoping to use spin as a weapon in IPL 2025, their request for a slightly slower track was turned down by the curator.

Should Franchises Have a Say in Pitch Preparation?

Doull’s strong comments have reignited discussions on whether franchises should have some level of influence over pitch conditions. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL governing body maintain strict regulations to ensure fair play, many believe home teams should be allowed a degree of customization, as long as the conditions remain competitive.

KKR’s situation raises important questions about the extent of control teams should have over their home conditions. Should franchises be allowed to request surfaces that suit their playing style, or should neutral pitches be the standard across all venues?

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