Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee is facing criticism from Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) supporters following his refusal to fulfill captain Ajinkya Rahane's request for a spin-friendly pitch. However, he has since reversed his stance, asserting that he never rejected any requests from the franchise, emphasizing his positive rapport with the management and ownership.

This situation arose after KKR's defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL 2025 season opener held in Kolkata. Following the loss, Ajinkya Rahane voiced his desire for a pitch that would favor spin bowlers, providing them with better conditions.

In an interview with RevSportz, Sujan Mukherjee initially dismissed the request, stating that he would not modify the pitch conditions while he remained in his role. He also criticized the performance of KKR's spinners, suggesting that RCB's bowlers outperformed them. This comment sparked widespread attention, leading to disappointment among KKR fans on social media.

Now, Sujan Mukherjee claims he never denied any requests, explaining that no official or player from KKR had specified their pitch requirements before the match against RCB. 

"No official or player inquired about the pitch specifications for the first game. A coach during practice asked me about the pitch's behavior, and I informed him that it would turn and be favorable for batting," he stated in an interview with Sports Tak.

"I have never denied anything to KKR. We have maintained a good relationship for a long time. I prepared the pitch according to BCCI guidelines. Those who are making accusations are uninformed," he concluded.

'Move the franchise away'

Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull expressed his disapproval of Sujan Mukherjee's refusal to accommodate the Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) requests, suggesting that the franchise should consider relocating from Kolkata if their needs cannot be met.

Doull emphasized that the role of the curator is not to express personal opinions about the game, but rather to prepare the pitch according to the requirements of the home team.

In an interview with Cricbuzz, he remarked, "If the curator is disregarding the preferences of the home team… they are the ones paying the stadium fees and covering the costs associated with the IPL. If he continues to ignore the home team's requests, then perhaps the franchise should relocate."

"He is not employed to provide opinions on the game; that is not his responsibility," he further stated.

Following their initial defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), KKR made a strong comeback, achieving an eight-wicket victory over the Rajasthan Royals in Guwahati.

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