India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir found himself at the centre of controversy after a fiery on-field exchange with Surrey’s head groundsman, Lee Fortis, at The Oval ahead of the fifth and final Test against England. With tensions already high in the closely fought series, this confrontation has only added fuel to the fire.
The incident occurred while the Indian team was putting in a rigorous net session in preparation for the must-win Test to level the series 2-2. In contrast, the England players were seen relaxing, even casually strolling on the pitch, shadow batting, and inspecting the square, actions that quickly drew criticism online for their apparent double standards.
Users on X (formerly Twitter) were quick to highlight how England’s players could walk freely on the pitch, while the Indian team was being restricted. The disagreement between Gambhir and Fortis unfolded during India’s practice session when Fortis began monitoring activity near the pitch, reportedly concerned about wear and tear due to upcoming fixtures.
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Gautam Gambhir, visibly agitated, engaged in a pointed conversation with the curator, captured on camera, gesturing sharply and telling Fortis, “You’re just the groundsman, nothing beyond,” and “You don’t tell any of us what to do.” Fortis, who first attempted to mediate through India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, warned that he may file an official complaint. Gambhir, unfazed, replied, “You can go and report to whoever you want.”
BEN STOKES AND MCCULLUM WITH PITCH CURATOR LEE FORTIS
-inspection at oval pitch pic.twitter.com/iu0MoQ2RJH
— Ajay. (@Crycloverajay) July 30, 2025
England coach Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes checking the oval pitch with pitch Curator Lee fortis [Revsportz] pic.twitter.com/wuNxCDEOM8
— DIVYANSH CHAUHAN (@Imchauhan28) July 30, 2025
So apparently, Lee Fortis is offended.
The same man who’s made a name more out of tantrums than turf.
If stirring up friction was a stat, he’d top the ICC rankings.
Too bad this time he picked a fight with Gambhir — not the wisest move.#INDvsENG #OvalTest #LeeFortis #TeamIndia— Vineet kumar Nanda (@vineet_1812) July 30, 2025
With the pitch i can see double standards of Lee Fortis (Pitch Curator) #ENGvIND https://t.co/U11JF2TXlC
— Call it Cricket 🏏 (@CallitCricket) July 30, 2025
Although there’s been no official word from the Indian camp about dissatisfaction with the pitch, reports suggest the surface might offer more bounce and carry than previous games, conditions likely to favour England’s pace attack. This is just the latest flashpoint in a tour already riddled with tension.
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From India refusing a handshake on a draw in Manchester—so Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja could complete their centuries—to Shubman Gill accusing England of breaching the “spirit of cricket” during a time-wasting episode at Lord’s, tempers have flared frequently. Add Mohammed Siraj’s aggressive send-off to Ben Duckett, and it’s clear that the final Test at The Oval is not just a decider, but a showdown wrapped in drama.
