The IPL 2023 season has been marred by a significant controversy surrounding the pitch at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, with former India cricketer Arun Lal stepping into the fray to assert the necessity of home advantage in cricket.
The controversy erupted when Nitish Rana, then captain of the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), expressed his frustration over the team’s inability to leverage home conditions. Rana pointed out that KKR was the only team not benefiting from home advantage, a sentiment echoed by the current KKR captain, Ajinkya Rahane, who recently voiced a preference for spin-friendly wickets.
At the heart of the issue is Eden Gardens’ pitch curator, Sujan Mukherjee, who has firmly stated that he is not obligated to tailor the pitch to suit the home team’s preferences. This stance has sparked a heated debate, with former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull suggesting that KKR might consider relocating if the situation persists.
Arun Lal, who previously served as the head coach of the Bengal cricket team, weighed in on the matter, emphasizing the importance of home advantage. In an exclusive interview with TimesofIndia.com, Lal remarked, “Does the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) prepare bouncy and seaming wickets when England tour India? No, it doesn’t. Wickets that favour spinners get priority. Similarly, even the England Cricket Board (ECB) look to prioritise their team’s interests during India’s overseas tours to England. Teams should definitely get home advantage in cricket to maintain excitement and competitiveness.”
Former KKR player Manvinder Bisla also shared his experiences, noting that similar issues with the pitch at Eden Gardens occurred during his tenure with the franchise. Bisla stressed the need for flexibility from the pitch curator, stating, “The pitch curator should not be rigid. Otherwise, it will be very tough for franchises to plan for the auction, as additions are made with a certain thought process. If a team is unable to take proper advantage of quality spinners like Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine due to pitch conditions on home turf, then it is definitely a point of concern.”
Bisla further added, “The first objective of any team is to win and reach the playoffs. Everyone in Kolkata wants KKR to win. There should be a discussion between the curator and the franchise over how the team can be benefitted.”
However, former Indian cricketer and commentator Deep Dasgupta offered a different perspective, arguing that there should be no controversy over the Eden Gardens pitch. Dasgupta pointed out that KKR had previously enjoyed success on the same pitch, saying, “Has the nature of the wicket changed? No, it hasn’t. It is the same wicket where KKR won last season and eventually went on to lift the trophy. Look at the way in which CSK have created a team based on the conditions in Chennai.”