Last Updated:
Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir had a heated exchange with pitch curator at The Oval. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak intervened as and the bottom staff threatened to complain.
Gautam Gambhir in a heated exchange with pitch curator Lee Fortis (X/PTI)
Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a heated exchange with pitch curator Lee Fortis at The Oval on Tuesday.
Indian reporters on the scene suggest that The Oval’s ground staff have threatened to lodge a criticism against the Team India head coach.
WATCH:
VIDEO | Indian team’s head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen having 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.After having drawn the fourth Test at Old Trafford, India have a probability… pic.twitter.com/hfjHOg9uPf
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 29, 2025
ALSO SEE | ‘Go F*** Off, You Are Only A…’: Gautam Gambhir Goes Ballistic At Oval Curator, Video Viral
What Happened Between Gautam Gambhir And The Pitch Curator?
As per reports, Gambhir looked visibly upset and was seen pointing fingers as batting coach Sitanshu Kotak needed to intervene. He, too, went on to have an animated discussion with Fortis.
As per visuals, Sitanshu Kotak was also seen chatting with ECB representative and the Surrey media manager.
Reports indicate that the confrontation occurred within the nets when Indian bowlers were marking their run-up areas. Known for his intense on-field persona, Gambhir was seen shouting at Fortis in full public view. The precise explanation for the dispute stays unclear.
The tiff began when Fortis told Gambhir: “I may have to report this” and to that the Indian head coach replied relatively tersely: “You go and report whatever you wish to report.”
Gambhir was reportedly heard telling the curator, “You don’t tell me what to do”. The particular issue stays unclear, nevertheless it clearly agitated Gambhir, who didn’t hesitate to specific his displeasure. Fortis was later seen in a lengthy conversation with Kotak, likely explaining his position.
Initially, the pitch curator walked away from Gambhir to talk with Kotak. Nevertheless, Gambhir continued to voice his opinion, pointing fingers and confronting Fortis. Eventually, Fortis and Gambhir separated, with Gambhir returning to oversee the training session.
Despite the confrontation on the nets, Gambhir remained focused on the duty ahead. Speaking on the event, he acknowledged the high stakes of the ultimate Test: “Each teams have thrown a variety of punches and have fought for each inch. We have now got yet one more week to go, one final push to make and yet one more opportunity to make our country and folks out here proud.”
The fifth and final Test between India and England gets underway on Thursday (31 July) as Shubman Gill’s team may have a probability to level the five-match series for the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, which the hosts lead 2-1.
(With inputs from Agencies)
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha…Read More
Ritayan Basu, Senior Sub-Editor, Sports at News18.com. Has been covering domestic and and international football for nearly a decade. Has played and covered badminton. Ocassionally writes on cricket content, ha… Read More
view comments
- Location :
London, United Kingdom (UK)
- First Published: