Amid the ongoing pitch controversy at Eden Gardens, KKR’s head coach, Chandrakant Pandit, advocated for favorable home conditions in the IPL.
KKR Coach Chandrakant Pandit Comments on Eden Gardens Pitch Controversy
Ajinkya Rahane led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are gearing up for their third match of the IPL 2025 season against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede Stadium on Monday. Ahead of the game, KKR head coach Chandrakant Pandit weighed in on the ongoing pitch controversy at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Pandit supported having favorable home conditions for teams in the cash-rich league, particularly amid comments from KKR’s captain, Rahane, who expressed a desire for spin-friendly tracks to aid their bowlers.
The controversy started when Rahane suggested better assistance for spinners in Kolkata, but Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee refused, stating that he would stick to BCCI guidelines and not alter the pitch conditions. This led to criticism, including a remark from former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull, who advised KKR to consider moving out of Kolkata if the pitches were unsuitable for their preferences.
‘We expect something helpful to be provided’
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit expressed hope that Eden Gardens would provide tracks favorable to his team later in the season, as the defending champions aim to bounce back from their opening loss to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL 2025. His comments come amid ongoing discussions surrounding the need for favorable home conditions in the league.
Pandit clarified that KKR does not have control over pitch preparation, stating, “No, in charge of everything at the ground… I don’t know. That doesn’t mean that they [the franchises] have control of preparing wickets. Ultimately, I don’t know what the system is in different states or grounds, whether the control is with the franchise. But, at the moment, what I understand is the surface given to us.” He emphasized that, as a team management, KKR expects helpful conditions to be provided.
Pandit’s remarks reflect a wider sentiment across IPL franchises. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephen Fleming recently mentioned that his team does not enjoy a home advantage, as they have struggled to adapt to pitch conditions at Chepauk. Additionally, Gujarat Titans assistant coach Parthiv Patel revealed that his team deliberately chose a black soil pitch for their match against Mumbai Indians.