The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to ban commentators Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull from commenting on IPL matches at Eden Gardens. This request comes after Bhogle and Doull criticized the pitch curators for not supporting Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in preparing pitches as per their needs.
Why the Request Was Made
According to a report from RevSportz, CAB sent a formal letter to the BCCI asking them to bar Bhogle and Doull from commentating at Eden Gardens for the rest of the IPL season. The issue started when Doull suggested on Cricbuzz that KKR should consider moving out of Kolkata if the curator did not cooperate in preparing the pitch as per the franchise’s requirements.
Doull’s Criticism of the Curator
Doull expressed his frustration by stating that if the curator was not following KKR’s requests, the team should look for a new home ground. He pointed out that KKR was paying for the use of the stadium and expected the curator to cater to their needs. He emphasized that the curator’s role was not to pass opinions on the game but to prepare the pitch according to what the home team wanted.
Bhogle’s Similar Views
Harsha Bhogle shared similar views, agreeing that KKR should have pitches suited for their bowlers when playing at home. He mentioned hearing about the curator’s comments and seemed to support the idea that KKR should get pitches according to their needs.
CAB Defends the Curator
In response to these comments, the CAB sided with the curator, Mukherjee, stating that he had done nothing wrong. They clarified that he was only following the BCCI’s guidelines. The BCCI rulebook clearly states that no franchise can dictate the type of pitch prepared for any match. The CAB believes the curator has followed these guidelines properly.
The Pitch Controversy
KKR captain, Ajinkya Rahane, had previously asked the curator to prepare a spin-friendly wicket, which would suit players like Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine. However, the pitch often turns out to be more pace-friendly, leading to high-scoring games. The CAB argues that the curator has followed the standard procedure and not favored one team over another.
BCCI’s Response and IPL 2025 Final
As of now, the BCCI has not provided an official response to the CAB’s request. However, it is expected that neither Bhogle nor Doull will commentate on the IPL match between KKR and Gujarat Titans at Eden Gardens on Monday. It is also worth noting that the final of IPL 2025 is scheduled to take place at Eden Gardens on May 25.
