Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) are set to face off in the 15th match of IPL 2025 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Thursday, April 3. With both teams struggling to gain momentum this season, the match is overshadowed by ongoing controversies surrounding the pitch.
Pitch controversy takes centre stage
The Eden Gardens pitch has been a contentious topic, with KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane expressing his desire for a surface that favours spin bowlers. “We would love to see the pitch helping the spin bowlers,” he said, emphasizing the importance of KKR’s spin duo, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy.
However, Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee has resisted altering the pitch to suit KKR’s preferences, stating that the surface will remain neutral as per BCCI regulations.
This disagreement has drawn criticism from cricket experts, with some suggesting that KKR lacks home advantage at Eden Gardens. Former players like Simon Doull have even proposed relocating the franchise if their requests continue to be ignored.
KKR’s expectations and adjustments
KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit acknowledged the challenges posed by the pitch but remained focused on adapting to conditions. “At the moment, what I understand is the surface which is given to us… probably we expect something [helpful] to be provided,” Pandit remarked.
Also READ: KKR vs SRH, IPL 2025 – Match Prediction, Dream11 Team, Fantasy Cricket Tips and Pitch Report | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad
Meanwhile, team mentor Dwayne Bravo urged players to focus on performance rather than pitch conditions. “The team that plays the best will win – whether it’s slow, it’s turning, or not turning,” he told reporters in Kolkata.
“For me, my language to the players will always be to make the necessary adjustments for the conditions. And what helps us with home advantage is the fans. I think that is more important than how the pitch plays. I will not really comment much about pitches. Once the fans are there into the game and cheering us on, that makes a difference,” Bravo added.
