Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull Removed from IPL Commentary for KKR Matches at Eden Gardens: In a dramatic turn during IPL 2025, well-known cricket commentators Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull have reportedly been removed from the commentary panel for Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) home matches at Eden Gardens. This move comes after their public criticism of the pitch conditions in Kolkata, which has stirred up a lot of discussion in the cricket world.
Why Were Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull Removed?
The trouble began when both Harsha Bhogle and Simon Doull made comments that didn’t go down well with the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). They criticised the Eden Gardens pitch and suggested that the KKR franchise was not getting the kind of home advantage it deserved. KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane and the team’s management had earlier voiced concerns about the pitches not favouring their spin bowlers like Sunil Narine, Moeen Ali, and Varun Chakravarthy.
Simon Doull even said during a show that if the curator was not ready to listen to the team’s needs, KKR should consider shifting their home ground. Bhogle echoed similar views, stating that teams should be allowed to play on pitches that suit their bowling attack when they’re at home.
CAB Backs Pitch Curator and Sends Letter to BCCI
The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) didn’t take the criticism lightly. It quickly sent a letter to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), strongly urging them to keep both commentators away from Eden Gardens for the remainder of the season. CAB stood firmly behind its pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee, saying he followed BCCI rules, which clearly say no franchise can dictate the nature of the pitch.
According to CAB, Mukherjee has been doing his job properly and fairly. The guidelines from BCCI state that the pitch should be prepared neutrally, without pressure from any franchise, no matter how big.
No Bhogle or Doull in KKR vs GT Match Commentary
Interestingly, Bhogle and Doull were already absent from the commentary box during KKR’s match against Gujarat Titans on Monday. This gave more weight to the reports that they have indeed been dropped from the panel for Eden Gardens games. As of now, BCCI has not officially commented on the matter.
However, sources close to Bhogle said he hasn’t been assigned to cover any KKR home matches this season, which confirms the buzz around this issue.
What Did They Say Exactly?
Simon Doull said during a discussion, “If the curator is not taking heed of what the home team wants… and if he’s still not listening, then just move the franchise away.” He further added that the curator’s job is not to give opinions about the match but to prepare pitches.
Harsha Bhogle backed these thoughts, saying that if a team is playing at home, it should be allowed to play on pitches that favour their strengths, especially their bowlers.
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What Happens Now?
For now, it looks like the duo will stay away from Eden Gardens, at least during KKR’s home matches. But there’s still a chance they might return to the commentary panel if Eden Gardens hosts big games like Qualifier 2 or the Final, which are both scheduled for May 23 and May 25.
This controversy has added a new twist to IPL 2025. While fans admire Bhogle and Doull for their honest views and sharp analysis, CAB’s strict stand has shown that not everyone welcomes such comments – especially when it comes to pitch matters.
As the season continues, cricket lovers will keep an eye on whether these two veteran voices return to Eden Gardens or remain on the sidelines for the rest of this IPL.
