Sujan Mukherjee, the pitch curator at Eden Gardens, broke his silence on Monday regarding the backlash he faced after rejecting Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane's request to prepare a spin-friendly pitch for the IPL 2025 season opener against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Referring to the BCCI rules, Sujan also took a jab at former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull, who had suggested that KKR find a new home.

Reports suggest that the KKR management was frustrated with Sujan for refusing to prepare a pitch that would suit their key bowler, Varun Chakaravarthy, who was hit for 43 runs in his four overs during the match against RCB.

"I do not follow social media. But when I heard what was being said about me, it felt bad. I have always tried to prepare a sporting track where there is something for everyone – batters, pacers and spinners," Sujan said.

"There was turn on offer in the pitch for the first match against RCB. And KKR have good pacers in their side like last season. All I am trying to say is if you watch the first match, there was some turn as well, especially the way Andre Russell got dismissed. I repeat that there was spin on offer for the first game against RCB. It is up to the players to utilise the conditions," he added.

"There has been help for the spinners here. If we make rank turners, then it might backfire. Spectators come to the ground to watch a good entertaining cricket where there is help for everyone. There will be a bit more help for the spinners in the upcoming matches," he said. "Everyone is welcome to me. Even the association is always willing to help. There has always been a good rapport between the state association (CAB) and the franchise. The KKR management also has a fair idea about the wicket and conditions on offer at Eden over the last few seasons since I took charge. Once the team returns from Mumbai, surely, we can have a discussion and I will see what best I can do."