'No question of favouring the home team' - Eden curator denies claims of tailoring pitch to KKR's needs

Kolkata Knight Riders will take on the Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first game of the Indian Premier League 2024 on March 24 at the Eden Gardens. KKR have undergone a captaincy makeover as Shreyas Iyer has taken the charges from Nitish Rana. Not only this, the Kolkata franchise has roped their former captain Gautam Gambhir ahead of the 17th season of the cash-rich league.

Meanwhile, ahead of the upcoming clash in Bengal’s cricketing hub, Eden Gardens' curator Sujan Mukherjee has denied the claims that the home team has requested to tailor the pitch to suit their style of cricket. 

Also Read: IPL 2024: JioCinema records 51% growth in opening day viewers compared to 2023

The wickets will offer good bounce with little spin: Eden Gardens curator

"There is no question of favouring the home team. I said it last year, and I am repeating it: nowhere in the IPL rules is it stated that pitches should favour the home team. It depends on the curator. They have a spin-heavy team every year, but this time they have Mitchell Starc, who was bought for Rs 24.75 crore. So, he is a pacer. I also have not received any hints from KKR management," Mukherjee was quoted as saying by Times Now.

"See, it is not like the Eden wicket does not spin; it does a bit. Remember the ODI World Cup match between South Africa and Australia? The wickets that I prepare will offer good bounce with little spin, and the batter will also enjoy playing here. The public will also want a pitch that offers something for everyone,” he added. 

KKR will be keen to replicate their 2011 and 2014 victories this time around. It is worth noting that their two titles were attributed mainly to their spin-heavy squads. Gambhir, who captained the side on both occasions, is set to coach the team and will be assisting them with off-field tweaks.