The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has formally asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to take stringent action against commentators Simon Doull and Harsha Bhogle, following their derogatory remarks on the Eden Gardens pitch during a recent Indian Premier League (IPL) match. The CAB has charged the duo with making unfair comments about the conditions at the ground and its curator after the match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Punjab Kings, and asked for them to be barred from handling future commentary duties at Eden Gardens.
CAB Reacts to Commentary Row
After the IPL match between Punjab Kings and KKR at Eden Gardens, both Punjab Kings and KKR were reported to have failed because of the condition of the pitch. This was also criticized on live streaming by commentators Simon Doull and Harsha Bhogle, who questioned the quality and the preparation of the pitch as well.
Countering this, the Cricket Association of Bengal strongly defended its pitch curator as well as the ground conditions. The association held Bhogle and Doull responsible for libeling the work of the venue's staff without due context or knowledge. CAB officials stated that the pitch was laid professionally and that no franchise had made any special request regarding the pitch conditions prior to the game.
CAB Demands Action against BCCI
The CAB has lodged a complaint with the BCCI, requesting that the two commentators be barred from commentating on any further IPL matches at Eden Gardens. The association emphasized that public condemnation of ground staff would demoralize individuals who work to preserve one of India's most renowned cricket grounds.
CAB's belief is that comment must be respectful and objective, particularly when commentating on technical aspects like the choice of pitch, which are issues of organizational planning and technical expertise.
Simon Doull's Comments Fuel Hostility
Simon Doull's comments on television were deemed particularly inflammatory by the CAB. He remarked that the KKR franchise can consider relocating its home base if the Eden Gardens curator refused to alter pitches based on the demands of the home team. He argued that the work of the curator is to make pitches as per information received from the home team and not independently without accountability.
This position earned a sharp reprimand from the CAB, who described the remarks as overstepping professional lines. Curators must walk the line between impartiality and technical requirements, according to CAB, and are not obligated to please team desires unless specifically ordered by the IPL management or BCCI.
Harsha Bhogle also was unhappy with the Eden Gardens pitch. He indicated that if home turfs were being used, then the pitches ought to be ready to give some tactical advantage. Although his comments were more tempered than those of Doull, CAB viewed them as contributing to public displeasure without justification.
Highlighting their application in their submission to the BCCI, CAB explained that Bhogle and Doull's commentary threatened to give the impression of being untrue about the ground, prejudicing the grounds' reputation before important matches like the IPL 2025 final.
