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A significant controversy has emerged in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, with renowned commentators Simon Doull and Harsha Bhogle reportedly barred from commentating on Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) home matches at Eden Gardens. The decision by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) comes in the wake of the commentators’ critical remarks regarding the pitch conditions at the iconic venue and the role of the ground curator.
Pitch controversy sparks commentary ban on Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull
The root of the issue lies in the public comments made by Doull and Bhogle concerning the nature of the pitches prepared at Eden Gardens for KKR’s home fixtures. Following KKR’s early home games, where the team management, including captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Chandrakant Pandit, expressed a desire for more spin-friendly surfaces to suit their bowling attack, the commentators weighed in on the matter.
During a panel discussion, Doull was particularly vocal, suggesting that if the Eden Gardens curator was not adhering to the home team’s requests for specific pitch conditions, the franchise should consider relocating. Harsha Bhogle echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the importance of home advantage in a tournament like the IPL and questioning the curator’s stance on pitch preparation. These comments, which were seen as critical of the Eden Gardens curator, Sujan Mukherjee, did not sit well with the CAB.
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CAB writes a formal letter to the BCCI
Taking strong exception to the public criticism of their curator, the CAB initiated action by writing a formal letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The CAB’s letter reportedly requested the BCCI to remove both Doull andBhogle from the commentary panel for all IPL matches scheduled to be held at Eden Gardens for the remainder of the season.
The CAB has firmly defended its curator stating that he has been strictly adhering to the BCCI guidelines regarding pitch preparation. These guidelines explicitly state that franchises and players are not permitted to influence or dictate the nature of the pitch to be prepared at a venue. The CAB views the commentators’ remarks as an unwarranted attack on the curator’s professionalism and an attempt to undermine the established protocols.
