Former CAB chief curator Prabir Mukherjee passes away; Twitter mourns

Prabir Mukherjee, former chief curator of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), passed away on Tuesday in Kolkata. Mukherjee, who was struggling with age-related problems for some time, was 86. An accounts officer with South Eastern Railway, he remained in-charge of pitches at the Eden Gardens for around 25 years. A fast bowler as well as a goalkeeper in his playing days, Mukherjee became involved with cricket in 1952 and joined CAB in 1979.

Mukherjee always remained in news whenever the spotlight shifted to Kolkata in the wake of cricket matches in the city. His no-nonsense attitude often resulted in clashes with authorities or people in power. That is precisely why he never shared a cordial relationship with CAB and even made a last wish of not taking his body to the CAB premises for people to pay their last respects — a tradition in Kolkata’s cricket fraternity.

He had also been in the news when he upset Indian captain MS Dhoni by not acceding to his request of preparing a turning track for a Test against England in December 2012. He had spoken to the media back then about the incident and taken a sudden sick leave as a mark of protest, only to return back and prepare a sporting track which saw India lose the Test and eventually the series too. Reactions poured in on Twitter after people learned about his death. Here is what social media users had to say on the passing away of Mukherjee:

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Sad to hear the news about Prabirda…he was the man of Eden gardens.. #ripprabirda

— parthiv patel (@parthiv9) June 1, 2016

Sad to hear the news about PrabirMukherjee.Hewas proud of his Eden Gardens wickets and you respect people like that. He had a good innings

— HarshaBhogle(@bhogleharsha) June 1, 2016

Saddened to hear the passing away of Mr.PrabirMukherjee, long time curator and ex-secretary at @CabCricket. May his soul Rest in Peace.

— Manoj Tiwary(@tiwarymanoj) June 1, 2016

The no-nonsense pitch curator at Eden Gardens, Kolkata – PrabirMukherjee is no more! #RIP
via @SwarnenduDas1

— Mohandas Menon(@mohanstatsman) June 1, 2016

PrabirMukherjee passes away. With him ends (?) the legacy of curators who dished out pitches that hit host nations. Still, rest in peace.

— AbhishekMukherjee (@ovshake42) June 1, 2016

Prabirmukherjee…RIP…legend…may you rest in peace.

— Zohebakbar(@Zohebakbar1) June 1, 2016

Really sad to hear about PrabirMukherjee, a veteran pitch curator at the Eden Gardens is no more. True lover of the game.

— Shalabh(@shalabhmanocha) June 1, 2016

Shradhanjali CAB pitch curator Prabir Mukherjee. This cartoon was done when he ignored Dhoni’s pitch instructions! pic.twitter.com/qMhu9WmYud

— Satish Acharya (@satishacharya) June 1, 2016

BAD NEWS : PrabirMukherjee, Eden Gardens ‘s pitch curator, is no more.
RIP pic.twitter.com/ISFkJ7jsfK

— Lilly Mary Pinto (@LillyMaryPinto) June 1, 2016

Sad to hear about the demise of PrabirMukherjee,theex curator of the Eden Gardens,Kolkata. Rest in peace.

— SomnathBrahma (@SomnathRules) June 1, 2016

@gbsaltlake Surely Kolkata maidanloose another of its character in PrabirMukherjee. RIP

— RajibChatterjee (@RajibChatterjee) June 1, 2016