Picture Credit: X/IPL
With the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) getting into the reverse leg, the tournament has seen a new controversy build up. In a recent move, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to remove commentators, Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull from defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) home matches.
The decision by the CAB comes after the duo were seen critising the Eden Gardens’ pitch curator. Moreover, a clarity on the same came after the two well-known commentators were absent from KKR’s home match against Gujarat Titans (GT), played on Monday, April 21 which saw the IPL 2022 winners come out victorious by 39 runs.
Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull removed from commentating in Kolkata over pitch controversy
As per a statement from a CAB official as informed by PTI, “Bhogle and Doull are no longer part of IPL commentary team for KKR’s home matches. However, the situation might change when Eden hosts Qualifier 2 and the Final on May 23 and 25.” Notably, the two commentators criticised Sujan Mukherjee for not preparing a surface well that suited the KKR’s preferences.
Seeing this, the CAB Secretary, Naresh Ojha had reportedly written to the BCCI. Speaking on Cricbuzz, Doull and Bhogle strongly criticized the curator’s stance, even suggesting that KKR should consider leaving Eden if they couldn’t get pitches suited to their strengths.
“If he (the curator) is not taking heed of what the home team wants... they are paying the stadium fees, they are paying for what’s going on in the IPL. If he’s still not listening, then just move the franchise away. His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That’s not what he’s paid for,” Doull had said. Moreover, Bhogle also echoed the sentiments, stating, “If they are playing at home, they should get the kind of tracks that suit their bowlers. I saw something about what the KKR curator has said.”
