The typically serene atmosphere surrounding the India-England Test series has been disrupted by a heated exchange between India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, and The Oval's head groundsman, Lee Fortis. The incident occurred during India's practice session ahead of the crucial fifth and final Test, adding an unexpected layer of tension to the already high-stakes match.
Reports indicate the confrontation took place near the nets as Indian bowlers were marking their run-up areas. While the exact details remain somewhat unclear, it appears the disagreement stemmed from the Indian team's use of the playing area, specifically the square, for throw-downs, which Fortis objected to. Gambhir, known for his assertive personality, was seen visibly agitated and pointing fingers while exchanging strong words with Fortis. In video footage circulating on social media, Gambhir can be heard saying, "You don't tell us what we need to do". Another quote attributed to Gambhir included the phrase, "You are just a groundsman here".
The situation reportedly escalated to the point where India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, intervened, pulling Fortis away from the situation while Gambhir continued the discussion from a distance.
Following the incident, Lee Fortis addressed the media, seemingly attempting to downplay the altercation. He stated that he had never met Gambhir before and when asked about the coach's demeanor, he responded, "You saw what he was like this morning". He also added, "It is quite a big game coming up. It is not my job to be happy with him (Gautam Gambhir) or not...It's okay, I am fine. We have nothing to hide". When further pressed, Fortis quipped that Gambhir was a "touchy guy".
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has released an official statement regarding the controversy.
This isn't the first time Gambhir's fiery temperament has landed him in hot water. In 2017, while captaining Delhi, he received a four-game ban for "Seriously Inappropriate Behaviour" following an altercation with coach KP Bhaskar Pillai. A DDCA committee found Gambhir had acted with "premeditated intent to humiliate the coach".
The timing of this incident is particularly sensitive, adding to the existing tension between the two teams. The fourth Test at Old Trafford concluded amidst controversy after England's captain, Ben Stokes, allegedly attempted to persuade Ravindra Jadeja to end the match early, a proposal the Indian side declined. With the series on the line, both teams are under immense pressure heading into the final Test.
The Oval is set to host the decisive fifth Test, and all eyes will be on whether this off-field spat has any impact on the players. The grounds staff at The Oval are reportedly considering filing a formal complaint against Gambhir through internal channels if the matter isn't resolved. If found guilty, Gambhir could potentially face a ban.
