Ajinkya Rahane, now leading the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), finally appeared satisfied with the conditions at Eden Gardens during their second home fixture of IPL 2025—a rematch against Sunrisers Hyderabad from last season’s final. The skipper’s satisfaction was evident after KKR registered a convincing win, defending a formidable 200-run total and bundling out SRH for just 120.

This victory was crucial for KKR, especially after a disappointing start to their campaign when they lost at home to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Following that loss, Rahane made headlines by voicing his concern over the pitch, emphasizing the need for spin-friendly tracks to suit his team’s strengths. The discussion around pitch preparation intensified, drawing mixed reactions from fans and experts alike.

ALSO READ: Chris Gayle Rates Top Indian Players: Jaiswal, Gill, SKY Shine With High Scores

Speaking at the toss ahead of the SRH clash, Ajinkya Rahane was once again questioned about the pitch. He offered a candid response: “Looks good. I’m really happy with the pitch. Even we were looking to bowl first. It will suit our spinners. When you’re playing at home, you should get conditions that work in your favour. We’re happy, but we still need to assess quickly while batting.”

Rahane’s earlier post-match comments after the RCB game, where he suggested the pitch had been under covers for over a day and a half, only added fuel to the debate. In response, Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee cited BCCI regulations, making it clear that neither franchises nor players have any authority over pitch preparation. “Only the host association’s chief curator, under BCCI guidance, decides on match and practice pitches,” he clarified.

Despite the rules, Ajinkya Rahane found support from prominent voices in the cricket world. Experts like Arun Lal, Aakash Chopra, and Simon Doull stood by the KKR captain, with Doull even boldly suggesting the franchise consider moving to a different venue if their preferences continue to be overlooked.

ALSO READ: Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Switch To Goa Sparks Talk Of Rift With Ajinkya Rahane In Mumbai Setup

Interestingly, this isn’t a new concern. During IPL 2023, then KKR captain Nitish Rana had also remarked that his side was the only one in the league that didn’t enjoy a genuine home advantage—highlighting a long-standing issue that now Rahane seems determined to address.