Former New Zealand fast bowler Simon Doull has taken aim at Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee for refusing to prepare a spinner-friendly pitch for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025. Doull’s criticism came after KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane's request for a surface that could support their spinners was rejected by Mukherjee, sparking controversy. 

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Commentators Harsha Bhogle and Doull were both vocal about their disappointment accusing the curator of disrespecting Rahane’s strategy to make the most of their home advantage.

In their IPL 2025 opener KKR struggled to defend a total of 175 runs with spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy failing to make much of an impact. Mukherjee defended his stance by pointing to the success of RCB’s spinners stating that he wouldn’t alter the nature of the pitch as long as he’s in charge.

Doull clearly frustrated with the situation argued that the home team’s preferences should be prioritized. "If he's not taking heed of what the home team wants... I mean, they are paying the stadium fees, they are paying for what's going on in the IPL. But if he's still not paying heed to what the home team wants, then just move the franchise away to somewhere else," Doull said on Cricbuzz. "His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That's not what he's paid for."

Harsha Bhogle echoed Doull's sentiments, emphasizing that home teams like KKR should be given pitches that play to their strengths. “RR, if they are playing at home, should get the tracks that they think are suited for their bowlers. So too with KKR. I saw what the Kolkata Knight Riders curator said. If I’m in the KKR camp, I’m extremely unhappy with what he said because I’m not asking for a 120 surface,” Bhogle shared on Cricbuzz.