The cricketing world is no stranger to debates, but the latest controversy involving Eden Gardens, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), and two well-known commentators — Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull — has added an unexpected twist to this year’s IPL.
What Sparked the Controversy?
In a letter sent to the BCCI, the CAB, through its secretary Naresh Ojha, requested the removal of Harsha Bhogle and New Zealand’s Simon Doull from the commentary panel for matches held in Kolkata.
The reason?
Both commentators had expressed dissatisfaction with the Eden Gardens pitch, suggesting it was not supporting the local franchise — Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Harsha Bhogle Clears the Air
After the letter made headlines, Harsha Bhogle took to social media platform ‘X’ to set the record straight. Contrary to speculation, he clarified that his absence from the KKR vs Gujarat Titans match was purely logistical.
His Statement on X:
“There are some inappropriate conclusions being drawn about why I wasn’t at yesterday’s game in Kolkata. Quite simply, it wasn’t on the list of matches I was down to do! Asking me would have resolved the issue.”
“Rosters are done before the tournament starts. I was rostered for two games in Kolkata. I was there for the first and an illness in the family prevented me from being at the 2nd.”
Match Recap: KKR vs Gujarat Titans
The controversial match took place on Monday at Eden Gardens, where Kolkata Knight Riders suffered a 39-run loss to Gujarat Titans.
Key Match Details:
| Match | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| KKR vs GT | Eden Gardens | GT won by 39 runs |
Frustrations from the KKR Camp
Both KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Chandrakant Pandit expressed displeasure after the loss, pointing out the lack of spin-friendly conditions at Eden Gardens.
Their Demands:
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A pitch more suited to KKR’s spin-heavy attack.
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Better support for star spinners like:
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Varun Chakravarthy
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Sunil Narine
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Moeen Ali
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Simon Doull’s Bold Comment
New Zealand’s Simon Doull also didn’t mince words, suggesting that:
“KKR should consider finding a new base if the Eden curator Sujan Mukherjee can’t meet their playing style needs.”
Harsha Bhogle’s Take on Home Advantage
Harsha Bhogle previously remarked that KKR deserved to have a proper home advantage, echoing what many fans feel — that home venues should reflect team strengths, especially in a tournament as competitive as the IPL.
FAQs
1. Why did the Cricket Association of Bengal want Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull removed?
They were reportedly unhappy with their comments suggesting the Eden Gardens pitch was not helping KKR, the local team.
2. Was Harsha Bhogle actually removed from the commentary panel?
No. Harsha Bhogle clarified that he was only scheduled to commentate two matches in Kolkata and was not removed due to any complaint.
3. What happened during the KKR vs Gujarat Titans match?
KKR lost the match by 39 runs. The lack of a spin-friendly pitch frustrated the KKR camp.
4. Did Harsha Bhogle criticize Eden Gardens?
He simply stated that KKR should get a home advantage — a sentiment echoed by many — but did not personally attack the ground staff or pitch preparation.
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