Pitch Controversy Brews in IPL As the 2025 Indian Premier League heats up, tensions off the field have taken center stage—this time involving two veteran commentators. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has reportedly approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) with a request to bar Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull from commentating at the Eden Gardens stadium. The trigger: public comments by the duo suggesting the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) relocate due to ongoing disagreements with the Eden Gardens pitch curator. The controversy underscores a deeper debate over pitch preparation in the IPL and the autonomy of state associations versus franchise demands. The Comments That Sparked the Storm According to reports, Simon Doull, during a discussion, criticized the Eden Gardens curator for not accommodating KKR’s preference for spin-friendly pitches. He went as far as suggesting that if the franchise’s requests continued to be ignored, they should consider moving to a new home ground. “If the curator is not taking heed of what the home team wants… then just move the franchise away. His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That’s not what he’s paid for,” Doull remarked. Harsha Bhogle echoed similar sentiments, saying, “If they are playing at home, they should get tracks that they think are suited for their bowlers.” These comments appear to have struck a nerve with the CAB. CAB’s Response: Defending the Curator In response, the CAB submitted a strongly worded letter to the BCCI, defending curator Sujan Mukherjee and asserting that he has been following BCCI guidelines. According to IPL protocol, franchises are not allowed to dictate pitch conditions, and the preparation of the surface remains the sole responsibility of the curator under neutral conditions. The CAB believes the criticisms from Doull and Bhogle unfairly target Mukherjee, who has maintained pitch integrity as per the rulebook. The state board has now asked the BCCI to prohibit both commentators from covering matches at Eden Gardens for the remainder of the IPL season. Franchise Frustrations vs. Official Regulations The conflict also reflects broader tensions in the IPL: franchises often want pitch conditions tailored to their team strengths, while the BCCI and state associations push for balanced wickets to preserve fairness. KKR had reportedly asked for spin-friendly tracks to support bowlers like Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, but the actual surfaces have leaned more toward pace, resulting in high-scoring games. While the pitch debate continues, the silence from the BCCI on the CAB’s request suggests a cautious approach—possibly to avoid setting a precedent that could limit freedom of speech among commentators. A Delicate Balance Between Commentary and Governance The situation raises important questions about the role and limits of commentary in cricket. While commentators are expected to critique freely, their influence can carry weight, especially when comments affect official personnel or operations. The Eden Gardens controversy reflects a brewing turf war between broadcasters, franchises, and state associations. With neither Bhogle nor Doull expected to appear in the commentary box for the upcoming KKR vs. Gujarat Titans clash, the BCCI’s eventual stance may shape how such disputes are handled in the future. As the IPL final approaches—scheduled for Eden Gardens on May 25—the spotlight remains not just on the players, but also on those behind the mic.   (With inputs from agencies)