'I Don't Have To Bother': Eden Curator Slams Simon Doull Over Pitch Controversy
Kolkata Knight Riders management was unhappy that Mukherjee refused to provide them with a pitch on which their main weapon, Varun Chakravarthy, was smashed for 43 runs in four overs in the game against Bengaluru.
Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee, who has received immense flak from players and commentators over his refusal to agree to Kolkata Knight Riders’ request for a certain type of track, has said that he doesn’t need to bother with what the likes of Simon Doull or Harsha Bhogle say about his job.
Mukherjee quoted BCCI rules as he took a dig at former Kiwi cricketer Doull, who told Kolkata to find a new home.
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Speaking to RevSportz, Mukherjee admitted that the criticism hurt but maintained that while the track offered spin, Kolkata couldn’t make the most of it.
“I do not follow social media. But when I heard what was being said about me, it felt bad. I have always tried to prepare a sporting track where there is something for everyone – batters, pacers and spinners," Mukherjee said.
The curator said that there was some turn on offer in the track for the first game against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Kolkata have good pacers in their team like IPL 2024.
Mukherjee reiterated that if one watches the first game, there was some turn too, the way Andre Russell got dismissed by Suyash Sharma.
Mukherjee said that there has been help for the spinners in Kolkata. If one makes rank turners, then it might backfire. The audience comes to the Eden Gardens to watch good entertaining cricket where there is help for everyone, the curator said.
Mukherjee said that according to the BCCI guidelines, it is mentioned that the track and ground preparation for all IPL regular season games is the responsibility of the chief curator of the host association under the guidance of the BCCI-appointed venue curator.
They will be the sole decision-maker regarding the nomination of practice and game tracks, as is the case for first-class games in India.
“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. I am accountable to the BCCI for producing a good sporting wicket," Mukherjee said.
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