Cricket

Harsha Bhogle, Simon Doull Banned From Commentary At Eden Gardens? Pitch Controversy Explained

On Monday night at Eden Gardens, during Kolkata Knight Riders’ clash against Gujarat Titans, neither Harsha Bhogle nor Simon Doull was part of the commentary panel

Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle
Indian commentator Harsha Bhogle. Photo: File
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The 2025 Indian Premier League season is at its halfway point, and it라이브 바카라 been a rollercoaster ride with new faces shining, batters dominating, and even pitch curating controversies making waves. In a bold move, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has now urged the BCCI to ban commentators Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull from Eden Gardens following their remarks about the home ground and its pitch curator. (Full IPL Coverage | More Cricket News)

After KKR lost two of their first three home games in the IPL 2025 season so far, commentators Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull shared their thoughts during a panel discussion on a popular website.

They suggested that if the curator at Eden Gardens was not catering to the team's request for spin-friendly tracks, KKR might consider relocating their franchise. Bhogle also suggested that the team should have the advantage at home, which apparently is missing.

The CAB did not take kindly to these remarks about the public criticism of the pitch curators. In reply, the board's secretary Naresh Ojha wrote to the BCCI nearly 10 days ago, requesting the removal of both the Indian and New Zealander commentators to perform in Kolkata knight Riders matches at their home ground.

And somehow, that라이브 바카라 exactly what unfolded on Monday night at Eden Gardens. During Kolkata Knight Riders’ clash against Gujarat Titans, neither Harsha Bhogle nor Simon Doull was part of the commentary panel.

However, sources close to Bhogle said the renowned commentator was not slotted for any KKR game.

It could not be confirmed if the commentary roster was set before or after CAB's formal complaint.

"Bhogle and Doull are no longer part of the IPL commentary team for KKR라이브 바카라 home matches. However, the situation might change when Eden hosts the Qualifier 2 and the Final on May 23 and 25," a CAB official told PTI.

Ojha and CAB president Snehasish Ganguly were not available for a comment.

Both KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Chandrakant Pandit had expressed disappointment over not getting the expected spin-friendly conditions.

Following KKR라이브 바카라 defeat to Lucknow Super Giants in a high-scoring game, where LSG posted 238/3 and restricted KKR to 234/7, Rahane appeared frustrated when asked about the pitch at the post-match press conference.

"There was no help for the spinners, let me make that clear," he said, adding that further remarks from him could create a "bawal" (controversy).

During the panel discussion, Doull said, "If he (the curator) is not taking heed of what the home team wants... they are paying the stadium fees, they are paying for what's going on in the IPL. If he라이브 바카라 still not listening, then just move the franchise away. His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That라이브 바카라 not what he라이브 바카라 paid for."

Bhogle echoed similar sentiments: “If they are playing at home, they should get the kind of tracks that suit their bowlers. I saw something about what the KKR curator has said." The CAB, however, stood firmly behind its curator Sujan Mukherjee, maintaining that he has followed the BCCI guidelines, which state that no franchise can influence or dictate the nature of the pitch at a venue.

The KKR think-tank had reportedly requested a more spin-friendly surface to support the likes of Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine and Moeen Ali.

The defending champions KKR are yet to find their rhythm slipping away their playoff hopes. They currently sit in the 7th place with only 6 points from 7 games.

(With PTI Inputs)

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