IPL 2025: Keep Eden Gardens off-limits to Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull, CAB urges in letter to BCCI

Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull are part of IPL 2025 commentary panel (BCCI Photo)

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has written to the BCCI, urging them not to allow Harsha Bhogle and/or Simon Doull to commentate on any of the matches at Eden Gardens. The CAB sources have confirmed this to the RevSportz. Kolkata Knight Riders will face Gujarat Titans in their IPL match at Eden on Monday, and the two aren't part of the roster, it is learnt.

The letter was written after the two commentators had alleged that KKR weren't getting any support from Eden curator Sujan Mukherjee in regards to getting pitches of their choice. Doull even went to the extent of suggesting that KKR should move out of the city. The CAB is clear that Mukherjee has been doing his job and following the BCCI/IPL guidelines with regards to pitch preparations. The IPL rulebook clearly states that franchises have no say over the nature of the surfaces.

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“If he is (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 is 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 is paid for,” Doull had said in a chat on Cricbuzz.

Bhogle commented: “If they are playing at home, (they) should get the tracks that they think are suited for their bowlers. I saw something (about) what the KKR curator has said.”

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Earlier, after losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2025 IPL opener, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane told reporters at the post-match press conference that he would like to see more turn on Eden pitches. Mukherjee, in turn, told RevSportz that the pitches would not change, for he has been following the BCCI guidelines. Then, after losing the home fixture against Lucknow Super Giants, Rahane aimed a sly dig at the curator, suggesting that he is someone who enjoys “publicity”.

The ‘home advantage’ debate is en vogue this IPL season and across venues, several captains and coaches have expressed displeasure over the nature of the pitches they are getting. There seems to be an ongoing tussle between KKR and the CAB on the matter.

After the GT game, Eden Gardens will also host three more group league matches - KKR versus Punjab Kings on April 26, KKR versus Rajasthan Royals on May 4 and KKR versus Chennai Super Kings on May 7. The Qualifier 2 and the final, too, would be played at Eden, on May 23 and 25 respectively.