KKR told to exit Kolkata after curator disrespects Rahane

Despite IPL 2025 being in its early stages, Kolkata Knight Riders are unhappy with the Eden Gardens pitch. Curator Sujan Mukherjee dismissed KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane’s request for spin-friendly pitches, insisting the surface would continue to favor seamers with bounce and movement. His stance drew criticism from former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull and broadcaster Harsha Bhogle. Doull was particularly frustrated, even suggesting KKR relocate to a venue offering them a true home advantage.

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KKR’s Frustration Over Lost Home Advantage

After suffering a tough defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru at home, KKR made a strong comeback by defeating Rajasthan Royals in an away game. Bhogle and Doull criticized Mukherjee for disregarding KKR’s ‘home advantage’. Bhogle said Rahane did not ask for a rank-turner. All he wanted was a surface that would aid his spinners more. KKR historically have been a team with quality spinners. The franchise’s golden days came under Gautam Gambhir when they won two titles in 2012 and 2014 using spinners on a different-looking Eden surface.

“RR, if they are playing at home, should get the tracks that they think are suited for their bowlers. So too with KKR. I saw something what the KKR curator has said. If I’m in the KKR camp, I’m extremely unhappy of what he said because I’m not asking for a 120 surface. I’m just saying, give me a surface where my bowlers can win matches. To say, ‘sorry, we don’t prepare pitches like that…’ No. We are not asking you to make a 120 pitch, we are not asking you to make a 240 pitch. But I think home advantage in a tournament like IPL is absolutely legitimate. That will enhance the tournament because winning away becomes crucial then,” Bhogle said in a Cricbuzz show.

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After RCB hammered KKR on a placid Eden surface in the first match of IPL 2025, captain Rahane talked about the need for pitches that would assist their spinners more. “We would love to see the pitch helping the spin bowlers but again, this wicket was under covers for the last one-and-a-half days,” he said at the post-match press conference, adding: “Both the spinners we have, the quality they have, they can bowl in any kind of wicket and I am sure they are confident as well.”

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