‘No fight with KKR management,’ clarifies Eden Gardens pitch curator, drier surface expected for SRH game

‘No fight with KKR management,’ says clarifies Eden curator. (Photo: IPL)

An ‘amicable settlement’ appears to be on the cards. In fact, there was never a fight between Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee and Kolkata Knight Riders management over the nature of the pitch. Ever since taking charge as Eden curator in October 2015, after his predecessor Prabir Mukherjee walked out following a washed out T20I between India and South Africa, Sujan has been preparing sporting pitches - surfaces that offer something to everyone.

Fast bowlers willing to bend their back get purchase, as was the case for Josh Hazlewood during the 2025 IPL opener between KKR and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 22. In that game, RCB leg-spinner Suyash Sharma turned the ball to castle Andre Russell. Batsmen, too, enjoyed playing their shots, which Virat Kohli, Phil Salt and Rajat Patidar, and also, Ajinkya Rahane and Sunil Narine would attest.

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After the match, however, Rahane, the KKR captain, said that he would like to see a bit more turn on the Eden pitch. “We would love to see some spin on this wicket but again, no complaints,” he told reporters.

When RevSportz contacted Mukherjee for a response, he had said: “As long as I'm here, Eden Gardens pitch will not change.”

The curator pointed towards the fact that the RCB spinners, Krunal Pandya and Suyash, got four wickets between them. Mukherjee also added: “As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch. Ever since I have taken charge (as Eden curator), the pitches here have been like this. It was like this in the past. Things haven't changed now, and it will not be altered in the future.”

The whole issue snowballed into a big controversy and became a topic for national debate. Now, Mukherjee seems to be willing to change his stance. He clarified that there was no fight with the KKR management.

“First up, there's no fight between me and the KKR management, I have a very good relationship with all of them,” Mukherjee told RevSportz on Friday.

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“I have known Rahane since his early days and he didn't say anything wrong at the press conference. He said he would like to see a bit more turn on the pitch and as a captain he is entitled to that.”

To make it clear, the KKR camp hasn't made an official complaint over the Eden pitch. Also, if they want to have a word with Mukherjee, the latter will give them a patient hearing.

“They (KKR) are on the road now. Let them return, and if they want to have a word with me, I'm open to listening to their viewpoint,” he said, adding: “I also confirm that there's absolutely no official complaint from the KKR with regards to the Eden pitch.”

After losing to RCB by seven wickets, KKR went to Guwahati to play an away fixture against Rajasthan Royals. On a tacky pitch, their spinners, Varun Chakravarthy and Moeen Ali, held sway, sharing four wickets between them and setting up their team's win.

KKR expect something similar at Eden - the so-called ‘home advantage’. Their next home game is against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 3, and according to sources, the pitch could be a bit drier.