Intense Dispute Erupts Between India's Head Coach and Oval Grounds Curator

In a dramatic turn of events, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir found himself in a heated argument with Lee Fortis, the chief curator of the Oval, just days before the final Test against England. The confrontation, which revolved around pitch conditions, escalated quickly, drawing in batting coach Sitanshu Kotak as a mediator. As the Indian team prepared for the match, the incident raised eyebrows and sparked discussions among fans and analysts alike. With the stakes high, the atmosphere is charged as the team gears up for this crucial encounter. Read on to discover more about this unfolding drama.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 29, 2025, 19:07 IST

Tensions Rise Ahead of Final Test Match

A heated exchange occurred between India's head coach Gautam Gambhir and Lee Fortis, the chief curator of the Oval, as they prepared for the fifth and final Test match between India and England starting Thursday. The Indian team, having narrowly avoided defeat in the fourth Test in Manchester, commenced their practice two days prior to the match. A video capturing the argument between Gambhir and Fortis has gone viral on social media.

During the confrontation, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak intervened. The dispute ignited when Fortis mentioned he would need to file a complaint, prompting a sharp response from Gambhir, who retorted that Fortis could take his complaints elsewhere. Kotak stepped in to mediate, leading Fortis away for a private discussion, assuring that they would not cause any harm to the pitch. Other members of the Indian support staff, including Morne Morkel and Riyan Parag, were seen attentively listening to the exchange, although the exact reason for the disagreement remained unclear.

The argument revolved around the condition of the practice pitches. Gambhir confronted Fortis again, asserting, "You will not dictate what we should do. You are just one of the ground staff, nothing more." Following this, both men parted ways, but Gambhir returned to the practice session. As Fortis exited the field, he remarked on the significance of the upcoming match, expressing his emotional state. Sai Sudharsan was the first to arrive for practice, while left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav was also spotted training. Left-arm fast bowler Arshdeep Singh was seen bowling under Morkel's supervision.