IPL 2025: CAB seeks ban on Bhogle, Doull from Eden Gardens over pitch criticism

The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has taken strong exception to recent remarks made by renowned commentators Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull regarding the pitch conditions at Eden Gardens during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. 

As a result, the association has requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to exclude the two commentators from performing commentary duties at the venue for the rest of the tournament.

According to Indian media reports, the CAB submitted a formal letter to the BCCI following Kolkata Knight Riders' home match against Gujarat Titans on Monday night. In the letter, the association expressed its disapproval of the criticism directed at the Eden Gardens pitch and defended the ground's long-serving curator, Sujan Mukherjee.

The controversy arose after Bhogle and Doull allegedly questioned the quality and preparation of the pitch during their commentary, with their comments reportedly aimed at Mukherjee’s handling of the surface.

A CAB official, quoted by a local news outlet, defended the curator's work, stating, “The curator was simply doing his job in line with the rule book. It is inappropriate and disrespectful to single him out in public commentary.”

The association has stood firmly behind Mukherjee, maintaining that he followed all protocols laid out by the BCCI and that no IPL franchise has the authority to interfere with pitch preparation.

The CAB has asked the BCCI to ensure that neither Bhogle nor Doull is assigned commentary duties for the six remaining matches scheduled at Eden Gardens, which include Qualifier 2 and the IPL 2025 final.

As of now, the BCCI has not issued an official response to CAB’s request.