BCCI agrees to CAB's request to red-flag Simon Doull, Harsha Bhogle for IPL 2025 matches in Kolkata; here's full details

Simon Doull and Harsha Bhogle have been red-flagged by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) and will not be seen commentating for the remainder of ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The development came in after the CAB wrote to the BCCI a strong-worded letter requesting not to assign Doull and Bhogle for any games in Kolkata for the rest of the tournament, following their outburst against Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee.

That means, none of Doull or Bhogle will be at the Eden Gardens when defending champions and host Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) play Gujarat Titans on Monday (April 21). After the Gujarat Titans match, Kolkata will host five more matches in this season, including Qualifier 2 and the final.

Based on a RevSportz report, the BCCI has agreed to CAB's request. However, the BCCI is yet to make an official announcement. Neither Doull or Bhogle has spoken publicly on the matter yet. 

What is the controversy all about?

The controversy stemmed when KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane spoke about not getting a spin-friendly pitch at the Eden Gardens during the IPL 2025 opener against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Even several reports at that time stated that the KKR management wasn't happy with Mukherjee that he refused to provide them a spin-friendly pitch against RCB.

This led to Bhogle lashing out at Mukherjee for not showing no regard to KKR's home advantage. "I saw something what the KKR curator has said. If I'm in the KKR camp, I'm extremely unhappy of what he said because I'm not asking for a 120 surface. I'm just saying, give me a surface where my bowlers can win matches.

"To say, 'sorry, we don't prepare pitches like that...' No. We are not asking you to make a 120 pitch, we are not asking you to make a 240 pitch. But I think home advantage in a tournament like IPL is absolutely legitimate. That will enhance the tournament because winning away becomes crucial then," Bhogle told during a Cricbuzz show.

Doull, a former New Zealand pacer, added that if Mukherjee maintains his stance, KKR should find a new home instead of Kolkata. "If he's not taking heed of what the home team wants... I mean they are paying the stadium fees, they are paying for what's going on in the IPL but if he's still not paying heed of what the home team wants, then just move the franchise away to somewhere else," Doull had said.

What was Sujan Mukherjee's reply?

Meanwhile, Mukherjee also didn't hold back, stating teams and players should not have a say in pitch preparations. He said that according to BCCI guidelines, it is clearly mentioned that the chief pitch curator of the host association, under the guidance of BCCI-appointed venue curator has the sole responsibility of ground preparation in IPL.

"It is also instructed that the franchises and players shall not have any say in the preparation of the wicket. The BCCI chief curator is available to give any advice that is required and will also be able to intervene if any issues arise," Mukherjee had said.

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