Who is Sujan Mukherjee, Eden Gardens stadium pitch curator who refused to change pitch for KKR during IPL 2025, biography, age and career stats

Who is Sujan Mukherjee, Eden Gardens stadium pitch curator who refused to change pitch for KKR during IPL 2025, biography, age and career stats

Sujan Mukherjee is a veteran pitch curator who recently went viral for refusing to change the pitch at the Eden Gardens, find out more about him below

Mukherjee made headlines after refusing Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane’s request to alter the pitch conditions for an IPL 2025 match.

Who is Sujan Mukherjee, Eden Gardens stadium pitch curator who refused to change pitch for KKR during IPL 2025, biography, age, hometown birth place and career stats

Mukherjee has worked the playing surface at Eden Gardens for almost a decade now, strictly adhering to IPL regulations.

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Sujan Mukherjee refuses to change pitch at Eden Gardens

Just recently, during the IPL 2025 opener at Eden Gardens, KKR suffered a heavy seven-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Following the loss, KKR skipper Ajinkya Rahane requested the pitch curator, Sujan Mukherjee, for a pitch adjustment in favor of spin bowling. However, Mukherjee gave a firm statement saying,

As long as I’m here, Eden Gardens pitch will not change.”

He further emphasized that IPL franchises have no authority over pitch conditions. Sujan further reiterated that the Eden Gardens surface has remained consistent ever since he assumed the role of head curator back in 2015. Mukherjee also went on to dismiss Rahane’s claims that the pitch did not support spinners. He pointed out that RCB’s spinners performed well while KKR’s struggled.

Sujan Mukherjee bio

Sujan Mukherjee is a respected figure in Indian cricket, renowned for his deep knowledge of pitch preparation. He is a veteran pitch curator whose tenure at Eden Gardens has been marked by resilience and professionalism. Sujan prioritizes fairness and game integrity over team preferences, which have earned him both respect and the occasional controversy. Mukherjee has played a significant role in maintaining Eden Gardens as one of the most iconic and well-balanced cricket venues in the world.

He is an ex-domestic level cricketer who has played 12 first class matches and 2 list A games for Bengal. A spin bowler, he took 18 wickets in 12 first class games from 1980-1986. He had also gotten a government job in the customs office due to his cricket career.

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Age

Sujan was born on 10 February, 1955 in Kolkata.

Career

He began his career at the Kalyani University Campus where he worked as a curator. Sujan is responsible for the renaissance of the Eden Gardens wicket from a slow turner to pacy and bouncy turf.

 

Sujan Mukherjee started his work as the head curator of Eden Gardens in October 2015. Sourav Ganguly, who was the then-CAB president, appointed him for the role. Ever since then, Mukherjee has played a crucial role in maintaining the pitch’s quality. Over the years, the Eden Gardens surface has received praise for its fair play conditions under his guidance.

The pitch has gained notoriety for supporting both batters and bowlers without favoring any particular discipline. Sujan’s refusal to alter pitch conditions despite team requests and strong criticisms has become a trademark of his tenure.

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