In a controversial development during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has submitted a formal request to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) seeking a ban on veteran cricket commentators Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull from covering matches at Eden Gardens. The demand comes after the duo made public remarks criticizing the Eden Gardens pitch and the home ground curator, which CAB believes undermines the association’s and curator’s integrity.

According to a report by RevSportz, the CAB issued a strongly worded letter to the BCCI, expressing deep displeasure over the comments made during a Cricbuzz show. In the episode, Simon Doull suggested that the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) franchise should consider relocating to another venue if the Eden Gardens curator continues to ignore the team’s specific pitch requirements. “If he's (the curator) 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 of what the home team wants, then just move the franchise away to somewhere else,” Doull had said. He went on to criticize the curator's alleged interference in cricketing decisions: “His job is not to pass an opinion on the game. That's not what he's paid for.”

Harsha Bhogle also echoed similar sentiments during the discussion, adding: “If they are playing at home, (they) should get the tracks that they think are suited for their bowlers. I saw something (about) what the KKR curator has said.” These comments appear to have triggered backlash from the CAB, which has stood firmly by pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee, arguing that he has acted in full compliance with BCCI guidelines. The association stressed that, as per IPL protocols, no franchise has the authority to dictate pitch conditions, and the preparation is to be conducted independently and neutrally.

The Eden Gardens pitch has become a central point of contention this season, especially after KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane requested more spin-friendly conditions to benefit bowlers like Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy. However, the pitch has frequently behaved contrary to expectations, yielding high-scoring games with more support for pace than spin. In defense of the curator, CAB noted that Mukherjee has consistently followed standard procedures and has not yielded to any pressure from franchise teams, which, according to the association, is in line with BCCI's pitch neutrality norms. The association sees the public criticism from Doull and Bhogle as unfounded and damaging to both the reputation of the curator and the state's cricketing body.

While the BCCI has yet to officially respond to the CAB's request, reports indicate that neither Bhogle nor Doull is scheduled to be part of the commentary panel for the upcoming KKR vs Gujarat Titans match at Eden Gardens on Monday. This comes amid speculation that their absence may be linked to the ongoing controversy. Adding another layer of significance to the situation is the fact that the IPL 2025 Final is set to be hosted at Eden Gardens on May 25. The ongoing debate surrounding pitch control, commentary ethics, and administrative protocols could have broader implications leading into the tournament’s climax.

This incident also raises questions about the role of commentators, particularly when their observations influence administrative actions or provoke institutional reactions. Commentators have traditionally enjoyed a degree of editorial freedom, but this case may prompt re-evaluation of boundaries between journalistic independence and governing body sensitivities. For now, the tension between franchise demands, state association control, and neutral commentary remains unresolved, with fans and stakeholders closely watching how the BCCI navigates the brewing storm in one of the IPL's most iconic venues.