Gautam Gambhir's Tense Exchange with Oval Pitch Curator Explained

In a recent incident at The Oval, Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir had a heated exchange with the pitch curator, Lee Fortis, during a practice session ahead of the fifth Test against England. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explained that Gambhir's frustration stemmed from an unnecessary directive to maintain distance from the pitch. This confrontation adds to the series' already tense atmosphere, following controversial moments in previous matches. As India aims to level the series, the dynamics between the team and the ground staff have come under scrutiny. Read on for a detailed account of the incident and its implications for the upcoming match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 29, 2025, 21:24 IST

Gautam Gambhir's Heated Moment at The Oval

Sitanshu Kotak, the batting coach for Team India, has shed light on the recent confrontation between head coach Gautam Gambhir and the pitch curator at The Oval, ahead of the crucial fifth Test against England starting on July 31.

As India gears up for this decisive match, currently trailing 1-2 after a dramatic draw in Manchester, Gambhir's altercation with curator Lee Fortis drew significant attention during the team's first practice session.

Gambhir expressed his frustration towards Fortis, reportedly stating, 'You don't need to tell us what we need to do,' which led to a verbal dispute.

Can you decode what #GautamGambhir is saying here to the ground staff at The Oval? 🔊#ENGvIND 👉 5th TEST | Starts THU, 31st July, 2:30 PM | Streaming on JioHotstar!

This incident followed a controversial moment when England's captain Ben Stokes requested a draw while Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were close to reaching their centuries, a request that Jadeja declined.

After the video of the confrontation went viral, curiosity surged regarding the cause of the dispute. Kotak clarified that the curator's directive for Gambhir to maintain a distance of 2.5 meters from the pitch was perceived as unnecessary, provoking Gambhir's reaction.

Kotak explained, 'We were observing the pitch when a ground staff member instructed us to stand 2.5 meters away. In my experience, I've never encountered such a request.'

He further elaborated, 'If someone is damaging the pitch, then it's understandable. However, the way he insisted we move was quite odd, and that likely sparked the disagreement.'

Tempers flare at The Oval as Gautam Gambhir had some words to say to the ground staff! 🔥Here's what really happened! 👀#ENGvIND 👉 5th TEST | Starts THU, 31st July, 2:30 PM | Streaming on JioHotstar!

The ongoing Test series has already seen its share of tensions, including a verbal exchange between Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley over perceived time-wasting tactics during the Lord's Test, and Stokes's controversial draw offer.

'Over-protective' Pitch Curator Behavior Criticized by Gambhir

Kotak acknowledged that while curators tend to be protective of the pitch, the Indian support staff acted responsibly. He emphasized that Gambhir ensured no damage occurred to the ground during practice.

'We understand that curators can be a bit over-protective about the pitch. However, simply observing the pitch while wearing rubber spikes, especially with a Test match approaching, should not be an issue,' Kotak stated.

He added, 'Curators must recognize that they are dealing with skilled professionals. For instance, after our practice, you would see no bowler left marks on the outfield with their spikes, a decision made by the head coach to prevent any damage.'

With the Manchester Test concluding in a draw, Team India is set to enter the Oval Test with hopes of leveling the series and reclaiming pride in the fiercely contested Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.