Following a challenging start to their Indian Premier League (IPL) title defense, the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bounced back with a convincing eight-wicket victory over the Rajasthan Royals at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati. This win marked a significant turnaround for the defending champions, who had previously lost their opening match against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The spotlight, however, shifted to KKR’s home ground, Eden Gardens, where skipper Ajinkya Rahane faced unfavorable conditions in the opening game. Reports emerged that pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee had rejected Rahane’s request for a pitch that would favor spin bowling, a crucial element of KKR’s strategy. Mukherjee firmly stated that the pitch conditions would remain unchanged “as long as I’m here.”
This situation prompted a strong reaction from former New Zealand cricketer and commentator Simon Doull, who suggested that KKR should consider relocating their franchise. “If he’s (the curator) not taking heed of what the home team wants… I mean they are paying the stadium fees, they are paying for what’s going on in the IPL but if he’s still not paying heed of what the home team wants, then just move the franchise away to somewhere else. His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That’s not what he’s paid for,” Doull remarked on Cricbuzz.
Supporting Doull’s viewpoint, renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle emphasized the importance of home advantage in the IPL. “If they are playing at home, they should get the tracks that they think are suited for their bowlers. 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 explained on the same show.
Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten 97 runs played a pivotal role in KKR’s victory in Guwahati, showcasing the team’s resilience and adaptability despite the ongoing pitch controversy at Eden Gardens. As the IPL progresses, the debate over pitch conditions and home advantage continues to be a focal point, with KKR’s next moves eagerly anticipated by fans and analysts alike.