Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir found himself at the centre of an unexpected controversy ahead of the fifth and final Test against England, as tensions flared during a heated exchange with Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis. The confrontation, which occurred during India’s practice session on Tuesday, has now made headlines, with reports suggesting that the ground staff are considering filing an official complaint against Gambhir.
According to eyewitness accounts, Gambhir was visibly agitated during a disagreement that unfolded while Indian bowlers were marking their run-up areas in the practice nets. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had to step in to calm the situation but ended up in a separate animated conversation with Fortis.
VIDEO | Indian team’s head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen having verbal spat with chief curator Lee Fortis at The Oval Cricket Ground in London ahead of the last Test match of the series starting Thursday.
After having drawn the fourth Test at Old Trafford, India have a chance… pic.twitter.com/hfjHOg9uPf
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The incident quickly attracted attention as Gautam Gambhir, never one to shy away from confrontation, was seen gesturing and raising his voice in full public view. The flashpoint came when Fortis reportedly said, “I will have to report this,” to which Gambhir shot back defiantly, “You go and report whatever you want to report.”
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The India coach also added, “You don’t tell me what to do,” further escalating the exchange. Despite Kotak’s intervention and later dialogue with an ECB representative and Surrey’s media manager, the issue appeared far from resolved.
While the exact reason behind the disagreement remains unclear, it was evident that Gambhir was unhappy with something related to pitch preparation or training conditions. Fortis eventually distanced himself from the discussion, while Gambhir resumed his coaching duties with intensity.
WATCH – Gautam Gambhir in Heated Clash With Oval Pitch Curator Ahead of Crucial Test
Addressing the upcoming decider, Gambhir later refocused attention on the match, saying, “Both teams have thrown a lot of punches and fought hard. We’ve got one last push ahead of us—one more chance to make the country proud.” The fifth Test, set to begin on Thursday, July 31 at The Oval, gives Shubman Gill and his men an opportunity to square the series 2-2 and retain the prestigious Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, with England currently leading the series 2-1.
