Where do I stand on this pitch controversy? Many KKR fans who are regular viewers of my show have asked this question. More so after the KKR spinners did what they did in Guwahati, winning the game against the Rajasthan Royals.
First things first, I don’t really think it is a controversy. I also think there is no need for any further statements from either Ajinkya Rahane or Sujan Mukherjee. All that we need to see are some back-room discussions. Diplomatic back-channel dialogue, which is so very common in sport, is all that is required.
No one is asking Sujan da to dig up the pitch. No one is dictating anything to him. No one is remotely suggesting that he has to follow orders. All that is being said here is that the pitches could be made a little more spin-friendly. As the home team which has to cater to home fans, the statement is logical and rational. It is not a diktat. It is a request. And it needs to be perceived as such.
But experts weighing in and saying Sujan da has no business to give his opinion are also way off the mark. He is indeed entitled to his opinion. Every curator is. That’s where things turn to ego. To people becoming obstinate. And that’s what we need to avoid.
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I have seen Eden curators help captains. Have seen them given in to requests. The India-South Africa Test match several years back comes to mind. The pitch was a green top and, understandably, the Indian team weren’t pleased with it. With help from Jagmohan Dalmiya, a meeting was arranged between the curator, the captain, coach and the former BCCI President at his house.
All was resolved and the coach even travelled to Eden Gardens early morning on match day to check if the curator had actually relented. He indeed hadd. India went on to win that Test match, and it remains one of the best games played at the venue.
So, going forward, all Ajinkya and the KKR management need to do is sit Sujan da down over a cup of tea and have a typical Bengali adda. No statement in any press conference, but just an adda where all things can get resolved. In Bangla, adda over cha and muri. That’s all it needs. This is not a mountain. It is a molehill. It is now on both sides to just take a step back and convert it into a non-issue. The better KKR play, the better it is for CAB and for Sujan da. It is in their interest as well to help the home team. To get an opener and a final is a big thing, and one has to remember that.
Bring him some prasad from the Kamakhya mandir and organise a cha-and-muri session – the matter will get resolved. We will see things happen and nothing will escalate. At times, we start to take things a little too seriously. It is important we don’t and just keep things simple. This is a simple matter, and should be resolved as such.
Also Read: KKR’s Dominance in Guwahati Rekindles the Pitch Controversy: Was Ajinkya Rahane Right?