Kolkata test: After day-long drama, CAB persuades curator to join work

The drama surrounding the preparations of the Eden pitch for the third Test between India and England ended on Saturday after CAB President Jagmohan Dalmiya persuaded Prabir Mukherjee to return to work, hours after the peeved curator had threatened to proceed on medical leave.

Mukherjee, unhappy at being sidelined, had decided to go on a month's medicla leave in the morning but was persuaded to change his mind by the evening after meetings with CAB officials.

"There is no issue at all. We have sorted out the differences. Prabir Mukherjee was the Eden Gardens curator. He will be in-charge of the Test match against England stating on December 5 and the India versus Pakistan ODI on January 3, next year," CAB chief Dalmiya said after his meeting with the veteran curator.

"I'm hearing all sorts of stories everyday. These are all unncessary media created stories. Yes, he is really unwell but I've asked him to come and stay for lesser time," Dalmiya added.

Mukherjee, who has been at the centre of controversy for apparently refusing to toe the line of India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni's demand for a rank turner, expressed his desire to go on leave on medical grounds as he felt that the host association was not standing by him.

After East Zone curator Ashis Bhowmick joined Mukherjee, there were reports that the 83-year-old curator's wings have been clipped although it has been mandatory for zonal curators to visit each venue of their respective zones.

Following his U-turn, Mukherjee was back at the Eden Gardens towards the evening and was seen enjoying good camaraderie with CAB top brass.

It was a sort of moral victory for Mukherjee after CAB's treasurer and their 'Crisis man' Biswarup Dey went to Mukherjee's house and took him to Dalmiya's residence for a discussion.