The fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy between England and India at The Oval has been preceded by a controversy involving the pitch curator, Lee Fortis, and India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir. The incident has sparked reactions, with veteran Indian spinner R Ashwin weighing in with his perspective.
Tensions flared when Fortis reportedly instructed India's support staff to maintain a distance of 2.5 meters from the pitch during their inspection. This instruction apparently didn't sit well with Gambhir, leading to a heated exchange. Reports indicate that Gambhir retorted, "You don't tell any of us what we need to do. You have no right to tell us. You are just a groundsman, nothing beyond," while pointing at Fortis. Fortis reportedly threatened to report the incident.
R Ashwin addressed the controversy in his YouTube video "Ash ki Baat," suggesting that this wasn't an isolated incident and that Fortis has a history of similar behavior. According to Ashwin, "I know that groundsman really well, and this is not the first time this has happened. He is a bit like that and has done similar things in the past as well". Ashwin's comments imply that Fortis's actions are not out of character.
Ashwin also suggested that England might have used the situation to deflect pressure ahead of the high-stakes match. He believes the incident could serve as a morale booster for the Indian team, recalling instances where the team thrived under adversity. Drawing a parallel with the Sydney Test of the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Ashwin noted how India has often bounced back after such incidents. He feels that when the Indian team is pushed against the wall, it becomes a "different beast".
Despite the controversy, Ashwin expressed disappointment over Ben Stokes's absence from the Oval Test due to a shoulder injury, acknowledging that Stokes's absence is a major setback for fans.
Lee Fortis has been the Head of Ground Staff at The Oval since 2012 and has a reputation for producing high-quality pitches, especially for multi-day matches. He has received the Bernard Flack Memorial Trophy at the ECB Grounds Manager of the Year Awards multiple times, including three consecutive years leading up to 2024.
The incident has added another layer of intrigue to the already highly anticipated fifth Test. While it remains to be seen whether the controversy will impact the on-field performance, Ashwin believes it could potentially galvanize the Indian team.
