IPL 2025: Home Advantage Debate Intensifies
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season has sparked a debate surrounding home advantage, with several captains and support staff voicing concerns about the nature of pitches and the lack of predictable conditions. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) head coach Chandrakant Pandit has joined this discussion, advocating for franchises to have a say in pitch preparation while clarifying the current limitations.
The Current Scenario
As of the first ten days of the tournament, only five out of ten games have been won by home teams. This lack of consistent home advantage has led to widespread discussion about the nature of pitches across various venues. KKR's experience reflects this trend, starting with a home loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) before securing a victory away against Rajasthan Royals (RR).
KKR's Perspective: A Call for Franchise Input
When questioned about whether all IPL teams should have input into pitch conditions for their home matches, KKR coach Chandrakant Pandit stated, “Who will not be happy about that? I mean, this is a simple answer.” He emphasized that franchises currently lack control over pitch preparation, with the curator holding the ultimate authority.
Pitch Preparation Responsibilities: A Complex System
KKR’s next fixture is against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium. The coach clarified that, 'As a coach, as a team management, whatever the surface has been provided to us, we play. The control, of course, that will be under [the] curator.'
According to the Eden Gardens chief curator, Sujan Mukherjee, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) guidelines stipulate that franchises and players have no say in pitch preparation. The BCCI guidelines clearly state that pitch and ground preparation is the responsibility of the host association’s chief curator under the BCCI's guidance.
Reactions from Other Teams
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) coach Stephen Fleming expressed frustration with the wickets in Chennai, stating, 'There was no home advantage at Chepauk.” He noted the team's difficulty in reading the pitches and the need to adapt daily.
- Gujarat Titans (GT) assistant coach Parthiv Patel revealed that GT had requested a specific type of pitch during their match against Mumbai Indians, aiming for conditions that would challenge the visiting team. “Mumbai have been preparing themselves by playing on a red [soil] surface. It was a deliberate effort from our side [to prepare that pitch],' Patel stated.
Key Observations and Implications
- The lack of predictable home advantage is impacting team strategies and match outcomes.
- The debate highlights a potential disconnect between franchise expectations and the current pitch preparation system.
- Franchises’ desire for input suggests a need for greater collaboration between teams and ground staff to ensure fair and competitive playing conditions.
Upcoming Matches
- KKR vs. Mumbai Indians: Wankhede Stadium
- GT vs. MI: Narendra Modi Stadium