Former India cricketer and commentator Sanjay Manjrekar has questioned the growing control over pitch preparation in the IPL, arguing that franchises should have greater freedom to tailor surfaces according to their strengths.
Drawing a parallel with international cricket, Manjrekar said no home side would accept losing control over conditions during a major Test series.
“Yeah, we have to imagine that India is playing a home Test series, say against England, but they have no control over the pitches. The ICC comes into, say, a stadium during an India-England Test series and decides how the pitch is going to play. India would be unhappy. They wouldn’t like it,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.
He added that IPL franchises, having invested heavily in the league, should naturally expect some say over conditions at their home venues.
“It’s the same with IPL franchises. These are people who have invested a lot of money to be part of the league. So I believe they must have at least some level of control over the pitches. And there’s nothing wrong with home advantage. It happens in Ranji Trophy cricket and in international cricket as well.”
Manjrekar suggested the issue has privately frustrated franchises for years, even if few have spoken openly about it.
“This is a frustration a lot of people have had over the years. Only a few have voiced it publicly. If you ask every franchise whether they would want some control over the pitches, they would all say yes.”
While acknowledging the argument that strong teams should adapt to any surface, Manjrekar said squad dynamics during a long tournament often demand tactical flexibility from franchises.
“Now, there could be an argument that if you’re a good side, you should be able to win on any surface. But here’s my thought on that: as the season unfolds, certain batters and bowlers come into form. A side may become spin-heavy or seam-heavy depending on who is performing well at that point in time. In that situation, teams should be able to prepare pitches that suit their current strengths. If that isn’t allowed, I think it’s a little unfair.”
The former India batter also rejected the idea of a completely centralised system for pitch preparation.
“So I’ve never been a supporter of a centralised agency preparing all the pitches. Home teams should have some control and get that home advantage. That’s part of the sport.”
Manjrekar pointed to the history of international cricket, saying the significance of overseas victories comes precisely from teams succeeding in unfamiliar, home-friendly conditions.
“Indian cricket started making a name for itself when it began winning overseas in foreign conditions. And that was because those conditions suited the home side. As visitors, India went there and beat teams at their own game.”
He cited the great West Indies cricket team sides as an example.
“That’s why the West Indies cricket team of the past was considered so great. They travelled around the world, played in conditions tailored to the home teams, and still won. I think that should exist in the IPL as well because it’s part of the sport.”
Manjrekar also argued that restrictions on pitch preparation could directly impact how franchises approach auctions and squad building.
“Let me tell you something that just struck me: Mahendra Singh Dhoni, one of the most successful captains in IPL history, might not have enjoyed the same level of success with Chennai Super Kings if these restrictions had existed earlier.”
Referring to M.S. Dhoni and Chennai Super Kings’s long-standing dominance at Chepauk, he said, “Back then, when you went to Chennai to play CSK, you had to be a very good player of spin. Dhoni was a master at using spinners to control games. He wouldn’t have had that advantage.
“Of course, CSK were also a strong away side, but their home record was almost a given. That has to remain part of the game. If a visiting team goes to Chennai and beats CSK at their own game, you instantly respect that team more.”
Manjrekar concluded by saying the league already maintains a fair balance between home and away fixtures, making home advantage a legitimate sporting element rather than an unfair edge.
“And it’s not as if teams play eight home games and only two away games. The schedule is fairly balanced.
“I just don’t like this control over every aspect of the IPL. I think franchises should be allowed a certain degree of freedom.”
Published on May 15, 2026