Tensions flared at The Oval on Tuesday, July 29th, ahead of the crucial fifth Test between India and England, as India's head coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a heated exchange with the venue's chief pitch curator, Lee Fortis. The incident has sparked a debate about potential double standards in ground protocols, adding fuel to an already intense series.
The confrontation occurred during India's optional training session when Gambhir and his support staff approached the center wicket for a closer inspection. According to India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, the curator instructed the Indian staff to stay at least 2.5 meters away from the pitch, a directive they found surprising. Kotak noted that the team wasn't wearing spiked shoes and there were still two days until the match. He added that some Indian players had warned him that Fortis "isn't the easiest person to work with".
The situation escalated when a member of the Indian support staff was bringing an ice box onto the field. Kotak stated that Fortis yelled at the support staff, further irking Gambhir. In videos circulating on social media, Gambhir can be heard telling Fortis, "You can't tell us what to do; you are just a groundsman and nothing beyond". Gambhir also said to Fortis, "You don't tell any of us what we need to do. You have no right to tell us".
The Indian camp's surprise and frustration reportedly stemmed from the fact that England coach Brendon McCullum and Rob Key, the Managing Director of the men's team, had inspected the pitch earlier without any objections. This perceived inconsistency in treatment led to questions about fair access to match preparations. An old photo of Fortis and McCullum standing on the pitch during the 2023 Ashes series went viral, further highlighting the alleged double standard. Aakash Chopra, a former India opener and commentator, shared the photo on social media, questioning the "different rules for different people".
Fortis told the media that Gambhir was "a bit tetchy" but declined to elaborate. Kotak, while acknowledging the curator's need to protect the pitch, found the extent of the restrictions excessive. He emphasized that it was a cricket pitch and not an antique that is 200 years old. "The curators also need to understand that the people they are talking to are highly skilled and intelligent people. If you sound a bit arrogant... you can be protective, but end of the day, it's a cricket pitch," Kotak added.
The incident has undoubtedly added spice to the already high-stakes Test series, with India aiming to level the series in the final match at The Oval. The clash between Gambhir and Fortis has drawn attention to the importance of consistent and fair protocols in cricket, ensuring that all teams have equal opportunities to prepare for crucial matches.
