Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Ajinkya Rahane expressed his disappointment with the Eden Gardens pitch following the team’s narrow four-run loss to Lucknow Super Giants — their second defeat in three home games this season. Speaking after the match, Rahane pointed out the lack of assistance for spinners on a surface where spin was expected to play a decisive role.
“Firstly, there was no help for the spinners, let me clear that,” Rahane stated, making his frustration evident. The Eden Gardens track, traditionally known for aiding slower bowlers, failed to offer any turn or grip, much to the dismay of KKR’s spin-heavy attack.
Despite his dissatisfaction, Rahane was cautious in his remarks when the topic of ‘home advantage’ was raised. The experienced cricketer admitted he had reservations but chose his words carefully to avoid sparking controversy. “Any comment from me could trigger a bawal (controversy),” he said with a hint of restraint, acknowledging the sensitivity around pitch-related discussions.
The match saw KKR fall just short in a tense chase, with the pitch playing a significant role in restricting their spinners from making an impact. Expectations were high for spin to dictate terms under the Eden lights, but the conditions instead favored pace and bounce, leaving KKR unable to capitalize on their home conditions.
Rahane’s remarks highlight a growing concern about the nature of pitches at what is supposed to be their fortress. As the season progresses, KKR will hope for more favorable conditions at home, especially with their spin arsenal being a core strength.
Rahane’s Decision Backfires as LSG Edge Out KKR in High-Scoring Thriller
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) edged past Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in a high-octane contest, posting a mammoth 238/3 before restricting the home side to 234/7 in reply. KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s decision to bowl first seemed to backfire as LSG batters smartly targeted the longer side of the ground and capitalized on a flat pitch.
“They used the boundary really well, bowling to the longer side. Pooran and Marsh batted brilliantly in the middle overs and took their chances, which paid off,” Rahane admitted after the match. Despite the belter of a track that saw nearly 500 runs scored, LSG adapted better to the conditions, especially in how they rotated strike and cleared boundaries.
In contrast, KKR’s bowlers struggled. Their spin duo, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy, went wicketless and leaked over nine runs per over. Narine didn’t even finish his full quota of overs. Meanwhile, LSG’s Digvesh Rathi and Ravi Bishnoi were more effective, conceding 80 runs between them but picking up two key wickets.
The game reignited questions about the relevance of ‘home advantage’ in the IPL. When asked about the Eden Gardens pitch, Rahane responded with a smirk, “There’s been enough talk already. If I say anything more, it’ll become a controversy.” He subtly criticized pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee, hinting at the lack of cooperation with the home team.
Rahane stopped short of escalating the matter publicly, saying, “If I have concerns, I’ll take them to the IPL.” With multiple franchises this season—including LSG, CSK, and KKR—voicing concerns about pitch neutrality, the debate around home advantage continues to grow.
As for his personal form and India comeback hopes, Rahane kept it grounded: “I’m just enjoying my cricket right now. That’s all that matters.”