The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has reportedly written a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), requesting that renowned commentators Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull be prohibited from covering any matches at Eden Gardens for the remainder of the IPL 2025 season. The development follows after a public criticism by the duo towards the Eden Gardens’ pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee.
The controversy was triggered after remarks made by Bhogle and Doull about the pitch conditions at Eden Gardens and curator Mukherjee’s role in preparing them. While the home team, Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), had asked for spin-friendly tracks to help their bowlers like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, Mukherjee refrained from considering the request and adhered to BCCI guidelines regarding pitch preparation. Following that, Doull stated that if the curator remained obstinate, KKR should consider relocating from Kolkata altogether.
However, CAB didn’t take the comment positively, believing Mukherjee had been wrongly targeted. Sources in the association revealed that Mukherjee has been following only the BCCI rule book, which clearly states that the pitch and ground preparation falls under the host association and the BCCI-appointed venue curator, not the franchises or commentators. Mukherjee had responded to the criticismwhich was targeted at him.
“I do not have to bother about what Harsha Bhogle or Simon Doull said. What matters to me is what the spectators and my association say about the wicket,” he said in a chat with RevSportz.
“I am accountable to the BCCI for producing a good sporting wicket. As per the BCCI guidelines, it is clearly mentioned that the pitch and ground preparation for all IPL regular season matches is the responsibility of the chief curator of the host association under the guidance from the BCCI-appointed venue curator, and they will be the sole decision-maker regarding the nomination of practice and match pitches, as is the case for first-class matches in India. It is also instructed that the franchises and players shall not have any say in the preparation of the wicket. The BCCI chief curator is available to give any advice that is required and will also be able to intervene if any issues arise,” he added.
Notably, the BCCI has not officially responded to CAB’s letter, but neither Bhogle nor Doull will be seen in the commentary panel for Monday’s match between KKR and Gujarat Titans. With Eden Gardens also set to host the Qualifier 2 on May 23 and IPL final on May 25, it is still not known whether the two commentators will return to the mic for future matches at the iconic venue.
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