US EditionIndia Head Coach Gambhir Clashes with Ground Staff During Pitch Inspection
THE OVAL, LONDON, JUL 29 – The dispute began when the curator asked India to keep 2.5 meters from the pitch, a request Gambhir opposed, highlighting tensions during a crucial Test series with England.
- On Tuesday, July 29, 2025, India head coach Gautam Gambhir clashed with Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis during a pitch inspection in London.
- The confrontation arose after Fortis asked the Indian team to keep a 2.5-metre distance from the pitch, which Gambhir and others found unusual and unnecessary.
- Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said Fortis yelled at support staff over a cooling box near the main square, aggravating tensions before the fifth Test.
- Captain Shubman Gill called the incident unnecessary, stating "the coach and captain have every right to look at the wicket" and denied any prior instructions to stay back.
- The episode added tension ahead of the fifth Test at the Oval starting July 31, with Kotak ruling out any formal complaint but acknowledging the heated exchanges.
14 Articles
14 Articles
'Don't know why he didn't let us look at pitch': Shubman Gill reacts to India head coach-Oval curator tussle
Shubman Gill, the Indian captain, also offered his bit on the whole pitch inspection, which took place near the square of the Kennington Oval in London on Tuesday, July 29, following the batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. While Kotak was candid and upfront, Gill chose to be a bit straight faced and diplomatic while talking about the incident when India head coach Gautam Gambhir abused and lashed out at the Oval curator Lee Fortis, who told the Indian…
Gautam Gambhir and pitch curator Lee Fortis had a heated argument. On this matter, Team India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has explained in detail about McCullum coming near the pitch.
Oval Pitch Curator 'Shouted' At India, Did Not Say Anything To England: Fresh Accusation After Gautam Gambhir Spat
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak tried to douse the fire by taking Fortis away from Gambhir, who was visibly angry with the chief curator. Later, Kotak explained what really happened in the middle.
Channel News Asia
Stabroek NewsIndia head coach Gambhir clashes with ground staff during pitch inspection
LONDON :India head coach Gautam Gambhir got into a heated exchange with Surrey's head of ground staff Lee Fortis, who asked him to keep a distance from the wicket while inspecting the pitch at the Oval, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said on Tuesday.Visitors India are set to play their last test of the five-mat
Gambhir wags finger, Fortis labels India coach ‘touchy’: How did tensions first escalate at Oval?
Involved in a heated exchange with Surrey groundsman Lee Fortis, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir was reportedly seen wagging a finger at The Oval curator on Tuesday. “You don't tell us what we need to do,” Gambhir was heard as the head coach pointed fingers at the groundstaff in London.
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