India head coach Gautam Gambhir had a heated altercation with Oval’s chief curator Lee Fortis just two days before the deciding Test against England. The series being precariously poised, it was tensions that boiled over on Tuesday when India were training at The Oval. Gautam Gambhir was agitated and argued vehemently about pitch conditions.
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.
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Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was also part of the argument as things escalated. Even as the specific issue in doubt, Gambhir’s acerbic response — “You are just a groundsman, stay like a groundsman” — revealed how tense the atmosphere is in the Indian camp. The altercation, although smoothed out without trouble, highlights India’s no-nonsense attitude in this high-pressure Test.
Curator Clash Before High-Stakes Series Decider
The drama came on the eve of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy finale. India pulled off a dramatic draw in Manchester, and now Shubman Gill’s side have the opportunity to square the five-match series 2-2. Before Tuesday’s practice session, Gambhir lost his temper over the preparations of the pitch. He accused the curator of overstepping his mark, pointing fingers and yelling at Fortis.
Kotak also had a word with Fortis, perhaps attempting to broker peace. Although Fortis initially left to tell Kotak what was going on, Gambhir wasn’t finished. He caught up and confronted Fortis once more. Eventually, the two of them parted ways, but the incident spoke volumes about the aggressive stance of the Indian team in preparation for the fifth Test.
Series Already Boiling with On-Field Clashes
This is not the first hotbed in the series. In the Lord’s, Shubman Gill criticized England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett for turning up late to the crease. His expletive-laden rant—telling them to “grow some f****** b****”—became viral and reflected the mood of the series.
The tide turned for Manchester. Frustrated after a draw became certain, England proposed calling off the match early. Jadeja and Washington Sundar, however, who were both near their centuries, turned it down. This infuriated England. Ben Stokes and Harry Brook responded angrily. Brook bowled abysmally poor balls, letting the Indian pair get to their hundreds. The match ended in a draw, but tension never departed the ground.
India’s Hardball Tactics Uncover New Gambhir Era
The Oval showdown unveils more than a one-time altercation. It indicates the Gambhir-led revolution in India’s Test cricket attitude. Gambhir, popular for his take-no-prisoners attitude, seems set to dictate every aspect, even pitch conditions. His forceful leadership resonates through the team’s demeanour and on-field behaviour.
The controversy also indicates that India is ready to do whatever it takes to get an upper hand. Whether it’s psychological war, aggressive batting decisions, or pitch briefing, this side is not giving up.
As the Oval Test draws near, everyone’s eyes will be on the pitch — and Gambhir. His fiery words exchanged might raise a few eyebrows, but it has left no doubt: India is here to fight, and not just with the bat and ball.
