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'Not Under My Watch': Eden Gardens Pitch Curator Rejects Rahane's Cry For Spinning Wicket

Akshita Patel

Ajinkya Rahane gets schooled [Source: @Rokte_Amarr_KKR/X.com]Ajinkya Rahane gets schooled [Source: @Rokte_Amarr_KKR/X.com]

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Eden Garden pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee has hit back at KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane who asked for more help for the spinners. Mukherjee stated that no franchise has a say on how the pitch should be curated and under his watch, the surface won’t change in IPL 2025 season.

KKR, the defending champions, suffered a disappointing defeat in their IPL 2025 opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Thanks to explosive half-centuries from Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, RCB chased down a 175-run total in 16.2 overs.

Despite having two of the best spinners in the league, Varun Chakravarthy and Sunil Narine, KKR failed to put pressure on RCB's batters. Both failed to trouble the batters and picked up one wicket each.

Eden Gardens Pitch Curator Slams Ajinkya Rahane For Complaining

After the game, KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane hinted that conditions weren’t aiding spinners. However, Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee made it clear that the pitch will remain unchanged under his watch.

“As per the IPL rules and regulations, franchises have no say over the pitch. Ever since I have taken charge (as Eden curator), the pitches here have been like this. It was like this in the past. Things haven’t changed now, and it will not be altered in the future," Mukherjee told Revsportz.

He also pointed out that RCB’s spinners, particularly Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma, succeeded where KKR’s spinners failed. Mukherjee also firmly dismissed any notion that KKR or any franchise can dictate pitch conditions. 

“Their (RCB) spinners took four wickets between them. What did the KKR spinners do? Krunal Pandya got three wickets. Suyash Sharma turned the ball to castle Andre Russell," he added.

That being said, KKR will now look to bounce back when they face Rajasthan Royals at Guwahati on March 25.

Rahane Shines With Bat As KKR Captain

Ajinkya Rahane shut his critics up in a scintillating 25-ball half-century in KKR's IPL 2025 opener against RCB at Eden Gardens. After Quinton de Kock fell early, Rahane counter-attacked, smashing Rasikh Salam for 16 runs in an over before dismantling Krunal Pandya and Yash Dayal. 

His attacking intent set the tone for KKR, adding a 100-run partnership with Sunil Narine. Rahane's swashbuckling 56 off 31 balls also received appreciation from Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan.