With just 24 hours to go before the much-anticipated final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval, controversy continues to overshadow cricketing preparations. Tensions reignited when Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis was spotted near the Indian nets on the eve of the match, barely a day after his heated confrontation with India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir.
The drama began when Gambhir, known for his no-nonsense attitude and fierce patriotism, became embroiled in a fiery exchange with Fortis. The altercation was so intense that India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and other support staff had to intervene to separate the two. In a subsequent press briefing, Kotak confirmed that it was the pitch curator who provoked the Indian coach with what he termed “inflammatory and disrespectful” remarks.
The altercation has taken centre stage ahead of this decisive clash, with the incident threatening to divert focus from player fitness updates or match-day strategies. The Oval ground staff and Gambhir’s standoff have now become a subplot to what should have been a celebration of cricket, with the series hanging in the balance.
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Despite the prior confrontation, Fortis approached the Indian camp again, seemingly attempting to initiate another conversation. A video shared by journalist Sandipan Banerjee on X showed Gambhir choosing to completely ignore the curator’s presence, keeping his composure while strategising alongside Shubman Gill, Ajit Agarkar, and Kotak.
When Lee Fortis met Gautam Gambhir again…#ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/rw9JLgqD8N
— Sandipan Banerjee (@im_sandipan) July 30, 2025
According to a detailed report by RevSportz, the tension initially flared when members of the Indian camp sought clarity about pitch conditions for the upcoming match. In response, Fortis allegedly made a sarcastic quip about growing extra grass to challenge Indian batters—a comment that triggered Gambhir’s reaction. When Gambhir later attempted to examine the pitch himself, he was asked to maintain a 2.5-metre distance, which only added fuel to the fire.
Things escalated further when Fortis reportedly told an Indian staffer they weren’t allowed to walk on the field, daring Gambhir to “report him” if he had a problem. Gambhir, in no mood to back down, shot back: “You go and report whatever you want.” His irritation was evident when he later declared, “You’re just a groundsman. Don’t tell us what we can or cannot do.”
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Meanwhile, the English camp appears unbothered mainly. When asked about the incident, England captain Ben Stokes kept it brief, stating he did not know about the incident, as he wasn’t present at the time. As the final Test approaches, India must balance strategy with composure, hoping to put this off-field distraction behind them and focus on clinching the inaugural Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
