When Nitish Rana said every IPL team has home advantage except Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have long considered Eden Gardens their fortress, but recent controversies suggest that their home advantage might not be as strong as it once was. The issue resurfaced after KKR’s opening match of IPL 2025 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on March 22, where they suffered a disappointing defeat.

The pitch conditions have since come under scrutiny, with questions being raised about whether KKR is truly benefiting from playing at home. Adding fuel to the fire, an old video of former KKR captain Nitish Rana has gone viral on social media.

Throwback Video of 2023:

In the resurfaced clip, Rana expresses his frustration over Eden Gardens’ pitch, claiming that "every team has home advantage except KKR." His statement has once again brought attention to the long-standing debate about the nature of the pitch and whether it aligns with KKR’s strengths.

The throwback video is from 2023.

Watch when 2023 KKR Captain Nitish Rana rightly Said - " Every Team Has A Home Advantage Except KKR "

Its Been Felt From 2 Yrs Now But still nothing has been done about and Just got Arrogant statements instead 😐@KKRiders please Take serious action 🙏#ShameOnCAB pic.twitter.com/bTRHxwATaw

— Kau5tubh30 (@Kaustubh001ac) March 27, 2025

Social Media Reaction:

“Home advantage is crucial every team deserves fair conditions hope KKR gets the support they need,” shared a fan.

Likewise, another fan shared, “Home team deserves a pitch that suits them, just sheet arrogance from the curator.”

“KKR should shift to a different stadium. Barabati Stadium, Ranchi or Guwahati would do fine,” shared another user.

IPL 2025 and KKR

Meanwhile, KKR’s current captain, Ajinkya Rahane, has also weighed in on the discussion, advocating for a spin-friendly surface at Eden Gardens. His comments suggest that the team is looking for conditions that better suit their strategy. 

However, the debate over the pitch has sparked contrasting opinions among fans and experts. While some believe that a neutral surface maintains the integrity of the game, others argue that KKR should enjoy the same home advantage as other teams do in their respective stadiums.  

As IPL 2025 progresses, all eyes will be on Eden Gardens to see if the pitch conditions evolve to favour KKR.