Gautam Gambhir's Heated Exchange with Pitch Curator Ahead of Final Test
Tensions Rise Before the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Finale
The head coach of Team India, Gautam Gambhir, found himself in a heated confrontation with the pitch curator at The Oval prior to the fifth and final match of the ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, scheduled to commence on Thursday, July 31.
After the fourth Test in Manchester concluded in a draw, Team India made their way to Kennington, London, aiming to equalize the series at 2-2 at The Oval, a venue where they last faced defeat against Australia in the 2021 World Test Championship Final.
In the Manchester Test, India managed to secure a hard-fought draw, thanks to impressive performances in the second innings from players like Ravindra Jadeja (107*), Shubman Gill (103), Washington Sundar (101*), and KL Rahul (90). They turned the score from 0/2 to 425/4, establishing a 114-run lead before the match ended.
With the previous Test ending in a stalemate, Team India is determined to level the series and restore their pride in what has been a fiercely competitive Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Gambhir's Outburst During Practice
As Team India gears up for this crucial Test, which marks the series finale of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, head coach Gautam Gambhir had a verbal confrontation with the pitch curator during a practice session.
A video that circulated widely on social media captured Gambhir overseeing the team's first practice at The Oval when he was approached by curator Lee Fortis. Fortis attempted to engage with Gambhir, but the coach was not receptive.
Gambhir, visibly upset, retorted to Fortis, stating, 'You don't need to tell us what we need to do,' leading to a verbal exchange between the two.
VIDEO | Indian team's head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen having a 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.
Controversy Surrounding the Previous Test
This incident followed a controversial moment in the previous Test when England's captain Ben Stokes requested a draw while Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar were approaching their centuries. Jadeja declined Stokes's request until both players reached their milestones, after which the match was declared a draw.
Stokes's decision to propose a draw before the completion of the centuries sparked discussions among cricket analysts, raising questions about the appropriateness and timing of his gesture, especially as the momentum had shifted in favor of India.
Curator Lee Fortis Comments on the Incident
The altercation between Lee Fortis and Gautam Gambhir has drawn significant attention online, setting the stage for an intense finale in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
In remarks to reporters at The Oval, Fortis downplayed the incident, mentioning that he had never met Gambhir prior to this encounter and expressed that he was not troubled by the heated exchange. He stated, 'It is quite a big game coming up. It is not my job to be happy with him (Gautam Gambhir) or not. I have never met him before today. You saw what he was like this morning. It's okay, I am fine. We have nothing to hide.'
The ongoing Test series has already witnessed several heated moments, including a verbal clash between Shubman Gill and Zak Crawley regarding time-wasting tactics, as well as Stokes's controversial draw offer during the Manchester Test, which many viewed as an attempt to deny Jadeja and Sundar their well-deserved centuries.