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Veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle has dismissed reports of his removal from the commentary panel for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Gujarat Titans (GT) which took place on April 21. Reportedly, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) had asked from Bhogle and former New Zealand pacer Simon Doull's removal from the panel for their criticism of the Eden Gardens pitch which did not favour the home side.
"There are some inappropriate conclusions being drawn about why I wasn't at yesterday's game in Kolkata. Quite simply, it wasn't on the list of matches I was down to do!" Bhogle posted on 'X'.
"Asking me would have resolved the issue. Rosters are done before the tournament starts. I was rostered for two games in Kolkata. I was there for the first and an illness in the family prevented me from being at the 2nd," he added without mentioning the games he was supposed to commentate on at Eden Gardens.
Meanwhile, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane and their head coach Chandrakanat Pandit had asked for a spin-friendly track considering the spin-heavy attack featuring Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine and Moeen Ali in their lineup.
CAB curator Sujan Mukherjee has been backed by the state board when Doull said that KKR should consider moving to a new homeground which will suit them.
Bravo sees nothing wrong with Eden Gardens pitch
After the 39-run loss to Shubman Gill's GT, mentor Dwayne Bravo opted to douse the flames around the pitch controversy.
"Nothing is wrong with the wicket," he said in the post-match press conference. "I wouldn't come here to talk about the wicket. I think both teams play on the wicket and, you know, we didn't play a good game of cricket. So definitely if we don't play in the three facets of the game, good, and the other team play better, more likely they will win. So I'm not having anything, nothing is wrong with the wicket.
"So I just felt that they play better than us. They win key moments and their batsmen bat in the, the guys who bat in the first three, you know, they both score half centuries. So I think that was the difference."
KKR's playoffs chances bleak
KKR are currently placed seventh on the points table with five losses form eight games.They have lost three out of four games at home this season. Their next match is at home as well against Punjab Kings (PBKS) on April 26.
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