The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has written to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), requesting that veteran broadcasters Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull not be assigned commentary duties for any Indian Premier League (IPL) matches at Eden Gardens this season. CAB sources confirmed the development to RevSportz, citing recent comments made by the duo that have sparked considerable controversy.
The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are set to face Gujarat Titans at Eden on Monday. Bhogle and Doull are reportedly not part of the commentary roster for the match, but the CAB’s letter underscores their objection to the broadcasters’ remarks regarding pitch preparations at the iconic venue.
The issue stems from allegations made by Bhogle and Doull suggesting that KKR were not receiving the desired support from Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee in terms of pitch conditions.
“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 to what the home team wants, then just move the franchise away to somewhere else,” Doull said during a discussion on Cricbuzz. “His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That’s not what he is paid for.”
Bhogle offered a more measured take but echoed the central concern, stating, “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.”
In response, the CAB has defended Mukherjee, asserting that the curator is simply following established BCCI and IPL protocols. According to the IPL’s operational guidelines, franchises do not have authority over the nature of the playing surface. CAB officials maintain that Mukherjee has not deviated from those directives.
The tension around the Eden Gardens pitch first gained traction after KKR’s season opener loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Captain Ajinkya Rahane expressed dissatisfaction with the surface, stating at the post-match press conference that he’d like to see more turn on Eden pitches going forward. Mukherjee, however, remained firm in his stance. Speaking to RevSportz, he said that the pitches will not change, for he has been following what has been laid down in the guidelines.
The debate about ‘home advantage’ has become a point of discussion this season of IPL, with a number of captains and coaches from different franchises voicing dissatisfaction over pitch surfaces that do not appear to reflect home teams’ strengths.
With Eden Gardens set to host more high-pressure games—including KKR’s matches against Punjab Kings (April 26), Rajasthan Royals (May 4), and Chennai Super Kings (May 7)—as well as the Qualifier 2 and the final on May 23 and 25, the pitch controversy is not going to wane anytime soon.
Whether or not the BCCI acts on CAB’s plea remains to be seen, but the tension between the broadcaster voices, the franchise, and the local cricket association has undoubtedly introduced a new twist in the 2025 IPL season.