Ajinkya Rahane taken aback by pitch question at toss amid Eden Gardens curator controversy: 'At home, you should get...'

Ajinkya Rahane taken aback by pitch question. (Photo: JioHotstar)

Regardless of the outcome of the toss, captains are frequently questioned about their impression of the pitch. During Thursday's IPL 2025 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane encountered a similar situation. Rahane was taken aback when the question was framed in terms of KKR's continuing dispute with the Eden curator regarding the pitch.

Rahane was taken aback when, in the midst of all the chatter, former English batsman Nick Knight asked him if he was satisfied with the surface.  He paused for a moment before grinning and acknowledging that the team had got what they wanted.

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"Looks good, I'm really happy with the pitch, we were also bowling first. It will suit our spinners, at home, you should get what you want, but we'll need to assess the situation quickly with the bat," he said after KKR were put to bat first at home.

Sujan Mukherjee, curator of Eden Gardens, refused to provide KKR spinners a pitch that would help them in last month's season opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which infuriated KKR management.

Several experts criticized Mukherjee and suggested that KKR look for a new home. However, the curator reaffirmed the BCCI's rules, stating that IPL teams and players shouldn't have any influence over pitch preparations.

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"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 told RevSportz earlier this week.

Before the game against SRH, Mukherjee stated that he was prepared to speak with Rahane and the other members of the KKR management.

"Everyone is welcome to me. Even the association is always willing to help. There has always been a good rapport between the state association (CAB) and the franchise. The KKR management also has a fair idea about the wicket and conditions on offer at Eden over the last few seasons since I took charge. Once the team returns from Mumbai, surely, we can have a discussion and I will see what best I can do," he said.