Was Harsha Bhogle absent from commentary panel in KKR vs GT due to CAB complaint? Commentator clarifies

Noted cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle has dismissed reports linking his absence from the Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans IPL match on Monday to a formal complaint by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).

Bhogle clarified that his non-involvement was due to pre-decided scheduling and not external pressure.

His statement followed media reports alleging a letter sent by CAB secretary Naresh Ojha to the BCCI around 10 days ago, in which the association reportedly requested the removal of Bhogle and fellow commentator Simon Doull from the Kolkata leg of the IPL. The letter came after the two raised concerns about the Eden Gardens pitch, saying it did not assist the home team’s strengths.


“There are some inappropriate conclusions being drawn about why I wasn't at yesterday's game in Kolkata. Quite simply, it wasn't on the list of matches I was down to do!" Bhogle posted on X.


“Asking me would have resolved the issue. Rosters are done before the tournament starts. I was rostered for two games in Kolkata. I was there for the first and an illness in the family prevented me from being at the 2nd,” Bhogle further said.

The match in question, played on Monday at Eden Gardens, saw KKR lose to Gujarat Titans by 39 runs.

KKR captain Ajinkya Rahane and head coach Chandrakant Pandit have expressed dissatisfaction with the pitch, urging for a surface that supports spin bowling, key to their bowling attack comprising Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine, and Moeen Ali.

The CAB had backed Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee, while Doull had remarked that KKR “should look for a new base” if the pitch did not suit their team. Bhogle, in his earlier commentary, had also supported the view that “KKR deserved to have the home advantage.”