Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has addressed the recent verbal spat between Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and The Oval's chief pitch curator, Lee Fortis, ahead of the fifth and final Test between India and England, set to begin Thursday. The exchange between Gambhir and Fortis sparked considerable attention, especially as tensions rise with the series on the line.
In a pre-match press conference, Kotak offered his perspective on the incident, saying, “When we were looking at the pitch. They had sent a man to send a message for us to stay 2.5 m away from the pitch. This was a little surprising. We were wearing joggers. It was quite awkward. We know curators are a little overprotective and possessive about the square and the ground. What he said about the head coach is his opinion, and I don't want to comment. There is nothing wrong with looking at a wicket wearing rubber spikes.”
The spat reportedly erupted during a routine inspection of the pitch area, with both parties seemingly disagreeing over proximity and protocol. Lee Fortis had earlier played down the incident, stating that he had never met Gambhir before that day and wasn’t concerned by the exchange. “It is quite a big game coming up. It is not my job to be happy with him or not,” Fortis remarked. “You saw what he was like this morning. It’s okay, I am fine. We have nothing to hide.”
The incident comes at a crucial juncture in the series. India managed to hold England to a draw in the fourth Test at Old Trafford, keeping their hopes alive. With England leading the five-match series 2-1, the final Test at The Oval presents India with a chance to level the contest.
While the verbal spat may not have any official consequences, it has added another layer of intrigue to a high-stakes showdown between two top cricketing sides.
Controversy Brews As Indian Coach Gautam Gambhir Faces Possible Complaint From Oval Staff After Verbal Spat With Pitch Curator: Reports
Tensions flared off the field after the conclusion of the 4th Test between India and England at Old Trafford, with fresh controversy now emerging involving India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir. According to reports, staff members at The Oval have threatened to lodge a formal complaint against Gambhir over an alleged incident that reportedly took place during India’s training session at the venue.
The details of the confrontation remain unclear, but preliminary reports suggest that Gambhir may have had a heated exchange with the pitch curator during a pre-match practice session in the lead-up to the series finale. The staff are reportedly preparing to file a formal complaint if the matter is not addressed through internal channels.
Gambhir is known for his fiercely competitive and no-nonsense style, both as a player and now as a coach. While his approach has often been praised for instilling a winning mindset, it has occasionally drawn criticism for being confrontational.
Whether this incident escalates into a formal investigation remains to be seen. For now, it has added a fresh layer of drama to an already fiery Test series between two historic cricketing rivals.
