‘Kolkata curator didn’t let us train at Eden Gardens': Ex-Indian cricketer adds to KKR pitch controversy
A lot has already been said and written about Kolkata Knight Riders not getting what they wanted from the Eden Gardens pitch because of the curator's strong stance and yet the controversy- some may even refuse to call it that as it just blew out of proportion -refuses to die down. After former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull advised KKR to move to a different venue if the Eden Gardens curator did not comply with their pitch demands, former Indian wicketkeeper-batter Shreevats Goswami shared more details about how curator Sujan Mukherjee "did not listen" the Bengal cricketers for many years during the domestic season. Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Kolkata Knight Riders v Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India - March 22, 2025 Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohli after the match REUTERS/Sahiba Chawdhary(REUTERS)
Goswami, a member of Virat Kohli's U19 World Cup-winning Indian teamwho has represented Bengal in 61 first-class matches and more than 200 white-ball fixtures, said Mukherjee never allowed 'home advantage' and, at times, even stopped the Bengal players from practising on the ground as it would damage the outfield.
“Nothing new with the Eden garden curator not listening to the home captain. Having played for Bengal over a decade,have been witness to this from close quarters. As a home team we would ask for a certain pitch to take the home advantage but would seldom get it. Infact the curator wouldn’t even let us train in the Eden Gardens, run rounds cause apparently the “grass would spoiled”. On the other hand I would see my counterpart Karnataka players running around in Chinaswamy Stadium !" Goswami wrote on X.
Mukherjee has been the chief curator of Eden Gardens for close to a decade now. He was the main architect of transforming Eden's slow and low track to a fast and bouncy one that aided fast bowlers. While it has produced good cricket matches, it hasn't always gone down well with the home teams, including Bengal and KKR.
Notably, this is one of the primary reasons Bengal sometimes prefer to play their must-win games at the University ground in Salt Lake instead of the iconic Eden Gardens.
KKR, known to have one of the strongest spin-blowing units in the IPL for over a decade now, prefer a pitch that assists their spinner, but Mukherjee has been adamant about not changing the fast nature of the Kolkata pitch. Nitish Rana, KKR stand-in captain in the IPL 2023 season, was the first to openly talk about not getting "home advantage" because of the curator. After KKR lost to RCB in the IPL 2025 opener, captain Ajinkya Rahane spoke on similar lines, asking for pitches that would suit their spinners more.
Mukherjee paid no heed to that and went on to claim that he would never change the nature of the pitch based on a franchise's request. His comments were heavily criticised by fans and experts who believed 'home advantage' in a tournament like IPL should be legitimate.
Kolkata curator clarifies
After the matter snowballed into a major discussion among fans and experts, Mukherjee clarified, claiming the KKR management never asked him for a certain type of pitch.
"No official or player asked for the pitch requirement for the first match. A coach at the time of practice asked me about the behaviour of the pitch. I said ghumega bhi aur accha chalega (the pitch will turn, and it will be good for batting)," he told Sports Tak.
"I never denied anything to KKR. We have been in good relations for a long time. I prepared the pitch as per BCCI guidelines. Those who are accusing me know nothing," he added.
KKR's home match in Kolkata is scheduled on April 6 against Lucknow Super Giants. There have been reports of the match being shifted to Guwahati due to security reasons.
Goswami, a member of Virat Kohli's U19 World Cup-winning Indian teamwho has represented Bengal in 61 first-class matches and more than 200 white-ball fixtures, said Mukherjee never allowed 'home advantage' and, at times, even stopped the Bengal players from practising on the ground as it would damage the outfield.
“Nothing new with the Eden garden curator not listening to the home captain. Having played for Bengal over a decade,have been witness to this from close quarters. As a home team we would ask for a certain pitch to take the home advantage but would seldom get it. Infact the curator wouldn’t even let us train in the Eden Gardens, run rounds cause apparently the “grass would spoiled”. On the other hand I would see my counterpart Karnataka players running around in Chinaswamy Stadium !" Goswami wrote on X.
Mukherjee has been the chief curator of Eden Gardens for close to a decade now. He was the main architect of transforming Eden's slow and low track to a fast and bouncy one that aided fast bowlers. While it has produced good cricket matches, it hasn't always gone down well with the home teams, including Bengal and KKR.
Notably, this is one of the primary reasons Bengal sometimes prefer to play their must-win games at the University ground in Salt Lake instead of the iconic Eden Gardens.
KKR, known to have one of the strongest spin-blowing units in the IPL for over a decade now, prefer a pitch that assists their spinner, but Mukherjee has been adamant about not changing the fast nature of the Kolkata pitch. Nitish Rana, KKR stand-in captain in the IPL 2023 season, was the first to openly talk about not getting "home advantage" because of the curator. After KKR lost to RCB in the IPL 2025 opener, captain Ajinkya Rahane spoke on similar lines, asking for pitches that would suit their spinners more.
Mukherjee paid no heed to that and went on to claim that he would never change the nature of the pitch based on a franchise's request. His comments were heavily criticised by fans and experts who believed 'home advantage' in a tournament like IPL should be legitimate.
Kolkata curator clarifies
After the matter snowballed into a major discussion among fans and experts, Mukherjee clarified, claiming the KKR management never asked him for a certain type of pitch.
"No official or player asked for the pitch requirement for the first match. A coach at the time of practice asked me about the behaviour of the pitch. I said ghumega bhi aur accha chalega (the pitch will turn, and it will be good for batting)," he told Sports Tak.
"I never denied anything to KKR. We have been in good relations for a long time. I prepared the pitch as per BCCI guidelines. Those who are accusing me know nothing," he added.
KKR's home match in Kolkata is scheduled on April 6 against Lucknow Super Giants. There have been reports of the match being shifted to Guwahati due to security reasons.
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