IPL 2019 | Sourav Ganguly said Eden Gardens will be very good pitch, says Ricky Ponting

Since the day Ganguly took up the mentor’s role for the Delhi Capitals at the start of the season, he has been viewed under suspicion for his dual role. He has also been the Cricket Association of Bengal's (CAB) president and many have been of the opinion that he could have his way with the pitch curator.

This even led to three Kolkata based fans - Bhaswati Santua, Ranjit Seal and Abhijeet Mukherjee – to write a letter to the BCCI Ombudsman-cum-Ethics Officer Justice (Retd) DK Jain, accusing Ganguly's dual role of a case of conflict of interest. With that case yet to be solved, the all-important date has come as Delhi play Kolkata at the Eden Gardens. And Ponting revealed that Ganguly has always maintained the pitch to be a good one.

"He's said all along that he expects it to be a very good pitch. I think the reason they have been so good as the curators decided to leave it just a little bit more grass and they haven't sort of spun as much. It has pretty good pace and bounce and the ball tends to swing a bit here as well because of the humid conditions," said Ponting on the pitch, reported IANS.

Reports have also emerged that the former Indian skipper would depose in person before the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ombudsman owing to the regarding conflict of interest issue with Justice (Retd) DK Jain likely to hear him before taking the final call.

One of the biggest surprises this IPL has been Ganguly and Ponting working together at the Delhi Capitals camp. Given the bitter blood they have had when they were captaining India and Australia during their playing days, everyone had their doubts about the duo working together but Ponting has said they have always got along well.

"We have got very similar ideas and views on the game which has made us work well together. I love working with him. We've always going on well since our playing days. Since we've retired, we've caught up a couple times a year at least. I've always enjoyed his company. I think all the boys have enjoyed it as well."