“There’s no conflict with the KKR management,” Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee clarified, putting an end to the swirling rumors. The much-debated pitch controversy appears to have cooled down, and Indiabet has learned that Kolkata Knight Riders are likely to get a surface tailored to their preferences for their upcoming home clash against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 3.
Following Indiabet’s exclusive report that Mukherjee stood firm on the nature of the pitches at Eden Gardens, especially after Ajinkya Rahane’s post-match remarks calling for more spin-friendly conditions, the ‘surface tension’ escalated, sparking a nationwide debate on KKR’s home advantage. Now, the curator has set the record straight.
“First and foremost, there’s no rift between me and the KKR management. I share a cordial relationship with everyone involved,” Mukherjee told Indiabet. “I’ve known Rahane since his early days, and he didn’t say anything out of line during the press conference. As a captain, he expressed his desire for a pitch with more turn, which is completely reasonable.”
But will Mukherjee accommodate KKR’s requests for the SRH game? “The team is currently on the road. Once they return, if they wish to discuss the pitch, I’m open to hearing their perspective,” he said, adding, “I can confirm that there’s been no official complaint from KKR regarding the Eden Gardens pitch.”
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Sources suggest that the pitch for the SRH game could be drier, giving spinners a more prominent role. With Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy as KKR’s key weapons, the defending IPL champions are likely to enjoy the much-discussed ‘home advantage.’
Earlier, after a seven-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL opener, Rahane told reporters, “We’d love to see some spin on this wicket, but again, no complaints.”
Mukherjee responded to this by stating, “As long as I’m here, the Eden Gardens pitch will remain unchanged.”
KKR bounced back in their second match against Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati, where the pitch was slightly tacky, allowing their spinners to dominate. Varun and Moeen Ali played pivotal roles, each claiming two wickets while maintaining tight control over the run flow.
A similar pitch is anticipated for the SRH game, setting the stage for another thrilling encounter.
