'BCCI is sole decision-maker' - Eden curator Sujan Mukherjee breaks silence after allegations of denying KKR's spin-friendly pitch request

Eden Gardens ground curator, Sujan Mukherjee, has found himself at the center of a debate regarding the home team’s "disadvantage". The discussion arose after Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) spinner Varun Chakravarthy was taken to the cleaners, conceding 43 runs in the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

The curator faced criticism from some sections of KKR fans after rejecting skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s request to prepare a spin-friendly pitch for the ongoing IPL season. Mukherjee has broken his silence, clarifying that pitch curators follow BCCI’s instructions, and neither franchises nor players have a say in the matter.

“As per the BCCI guidelines, it is clearly mentioned that the pitch and ground preparation for all IPL regular season matches is the responsibility of the chief curator of the host association under the guidance from the BCCI-appointed venue curator, and they will be the sole decision-maker regarding the nomination of practice and match pitches, as is the case for first-class matches in India,” Sujan told RevSportz.

“It is also instructed that the franchises and players shall not have any say in the preparation of the wicket. The BCCI chief curator is available to give any advice that is required and will also be able to intervene if any issues arise,” he added.

Sujan admitted that the criticism hurt him despite not being active on social media. However, he maintained his stance, emphasising that the pitch did offer something for spinners, citing Andre Russell’s dismissal against RCB. He believes that making the surface entirely spin-friendly could be a double-edged sword and might backfire.

“Look, I do not follow social media. But when I heard what was being said about me, it felt bad. I have always tried to prepare a sporting track where there is something for everyone - batters, pacers and spinners.

“There was turn on offer in the pitch for the first match against RCB. And KKR have good pacers in their side like last season. All I am trying to say is if you watch the first match, there was some turn as well, especially the way Andre Russell got dismissed,” said the curator.

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Former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull shared his thoughts on the matter, suggesting that the defending champions should consider moving out of Eden Gardens and finding a new home ground. The curator claimed that the KKR management is well aware of how the wicket behaves and will discuss what works best for them.

“I do not have to bother about what Harsha Bhogle or Simon Doull said. What matters to me is what the spectators and my association say about the wicket. I am accountable to the BCCI for producing a good sporting wicket.

“The KKR management also has a fair idea about the wicket and conditions on offer at Eden over the last few seasons since I took charge. Once the team returns from Mumbai, surely, we can have a discussion and I will see what best I can do,” he added further.