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Gautam Gambhir in Heated Exchange with Oval Groundsman Ahead of Fifth Test
Tensions Flare as India Prepares for Final Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy Match
India’s preparations for the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy took an unexpected turn as head coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a heated confrontation with Lee Fortis, the head groundsman at The Oval. The incident, which occurred during the team’s training session, revolved around the team’s access and use of the practice square.
Practice Session Turns Contentious at The Oval
The altercation came to light when Gambhir was seen vocally confronting Fortis over objections to a cooling box being wheeled onto the practice square. Eyewitnesses described Gambhir as animated, visibly agitated, and gesturing sternly, as Fortis, seated on a roller, reportedly shouted at India’s support staff.
India’s assistant coach, Sitanshu Kotak, later offered clarity from the team’s perspective. According to Kotak, the tension began earlier in the day when members of the Indian support staff attempted to inspect the match pitch—standard protocol in the lead-up to any Test match. They were told to stay at least 2.5 meters away, which was perceived as unusually strict and unwelcoming.
“We felt a little awkward. Normally curators are cooperative, even share details like when they’ll cut the grass. This was the opposite,” said Kotak.
What Sparked the Gambhir–Fortis Argument?
Use of Cooling Equipment Triggered the Verbal Clash
The visible flashpoint occurred when the Indian support team attempted to bring a lightweight cooling box—approximately 10 kg—onto the square. Fortis strongly objected, reportedly yelling at the support staff from a distance. This led to Gambhir stepping in and allegedly defending his team with strong language, as captured in unverified videos circulating on social media.
According to reports, Gambhir was heard saying:
“You’re just the groundsman. Stay in your capacity.”
Kotak defended Gambhir’s stance, stating that as head coach, he was right to defend his team from what they saw as disproportionate hostility from the ground staff.
Oval Groundsman’s Reputation and Concerns
Lee Fortis, who has served as The Oval’s chief groundsman since 2012, is a four-time winner of the ECB’s Bernard Flack Memorial Trophy for best multi-day pitches. While his credentials are widely recognized, Kotak hinted that Fortis has a reputation among international teams for being particularly rigid.
Concerns Over Upcoming Fixtures and Pitch Wear
One of Fortis’ primary concerns appears to be the preservation of the pitch square, especially with several domestic matches and The Hundred set to be played after the India-England Test. He reportedly feared excessive use could affect future games.
“It’s a cricket pitch, not an antique. You can’t expect no one to touch it,” Kotak remarked sharply.
Respecting Boundaries or Overstepping?
While Fortis’ protective stance may stem from a desire to maintain pitch quality, Kotak argues that the Indian team had taken careful measures to avoid any damage, such as using sprays to avoid spiked shoe marks.
The team, Kotak emphasized, has encountered much more cooperative curators across other venues in the series, all of whom were forthcoming and communicative.
Broader Implications: Curator vs Coach – Where to Draw the Line?
This public confrontation raises a critical question: where does a curator’s authority end and a head coach’s begin? While both roles demand respect and coordination, the incident underscores the tension that can arise when protocols are unclear or overly rigid.
Cricket fans can read more about Gautam Gambhir’s coaching strategies and India’s preparation routines in this detailed profile on Cricbuzz.
For deeper insight into team preparations, you can also explore our coverage of India’s recent training controversies on our site.
