Popular cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has denied media reports indicating he was denied coverage of the IPL game between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Gujarat Titans (GT) at Eden Gardens because of a complaint from the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB). Bhogle explained that his absence had nothing to do with the controversy, explaining that he had only been scheduled for two games in Kolkata, which he had already covered.
Those are some unwanted conclusions being reached regarding why I wasn’t at yesterday’s game in Kolkata. Simply put, it wasn’t on the agenda of matches that I was up to do!” Bhogle posted on ‘X’.
Scheduling and Family Illness Behind Absence
Bhogle stressed that commentary rosters are finalized before the IPL season and that his billed assignments had already been completed. “It would have been sorted if they asked me. Rosters are finalized before the tournament begins. I was rostered for two matches in Kolkata. I was present for the first one and I was indisposed by an illness in the family and could not make it for the 2nd,” he further stated.
His comment came a day after news broke of a letter written by CAB secretary Naresh Ojha to the BCCI around 10 days ago. The letter reportedly sought the exclusion of Harsha Bhogle and New Zealand commentator Simon Doull from commentary assignments in Kolkata.
Pitch Controversy at Eden Gardens
The furore has its roots in remarks by Bhogle and Doull over the Eden Gardens pitch. The two had questioned the surface, declaring that it was not favoring KKR’s strategy or strength. Bhogle said the team “deserved to have the home advantage.”
Simon Doull, especially, went a step further by indicating that the Kolkata-based franchise may contemplate shifting base if curator Sujan Mukherjee persisted in offering pitches inimical to the team’s requirements.
KKR’s Concerns Over Pitch Conditions
KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Chandrakant Pandit have publicly expressed frustration with the Eden Gardens wicket, demanding a spin-friendly surface. With spinners like Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, and Moeen Ali in the side, the team feels that such a wicket would be good for their performance.
In spite of demands from KKR, CAB maintained its support to Mukherjee, resulting in an increasing clash between the wishes of the franchise and the will of the state association.
The clarification by Bhogle is going to relieve much of the unease around the issue, while it also reinforces the fine balance between commentators’ independence and region cricket board niceties.
