“You Are Just a Groundsman,” Gautam Gambhir’s Fiery Words Ahead of Oval Test Create Unwanted Social Buzz

On the eve of the final Test, Gautam Gambhir once again caught up Lee Fortis, this time seemingly turning his back towards the Oval's pitch curator.

“You Are Just a Groundsman,” Gautam Gambhir’s Fiery Words Ahead of Oval Test Create Unwanted Social Buzz

Gautam Gambhir engaged in an angry confrontation with the Oval's pitch curator, during India's training session. (via Hindustan Times)

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Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir, ahead of the final Test match between India and England at the Oval, engaged in a heated altercation with the pitch curator at the ground. The fiery exchange occurred during India’s training session, sparking unwanted buzz on social media.

The Indian red-ball team, traveling to England for the first time under head coach Gautam Gambhir and newly-appointed captain Shubman Gill, trail 1-2 in the five-match series. Tensions in the Indian camp are high, as the Men in Blue desperately need a victory in the fifth Test. Adding to their concerns, the team is grappling with an injury crisis, with vice-captain Rishabh Pant ruled out due to a toe fracture.

Just a few days ahead of the match, Gautam Gambhir found himself at the center of an unexpected flashpoint, after videos showed the 43-year-old involved in an intense on-field argument with the Oval’s head pitch curator, Lee Fortis. It seemingly erupted over Fortis’s objection to the Indian team’s use of the practice square area for throw-ins and fielding drills, as well as the coaching staff’s inspection of the match pitch.

Several clips of the altercation quickly went viral across social media, showing Gambhir angrily shouting at Fortis near the pitch. Gambhir, appearing visibly frustrated, pointed a finger at the curator, instructing him to do as he wished and even report the incident to the match referee, while also making crude verbal gestures. As the argument continued, Fortis was told to stay within his capacity and not instruct the Indian team coach, as he was ‘only a groundsman.’

Ok, you [Lee Fortis] don’t tell any of us what we need to do. You don’t tell us. You don’t have any right to tell us. You are just a groundsman, so just stay in your capacity.

Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak had to intervene to calm the situation, as he was later seen taking the curator aside for a chat. Kotak subsequently clarified the reason behind the exchange, defending Gambhir by explaining that he was simply standing up for his team.

He revealed that the pitch curator had shouted at the Indian coaching staff for bringing an ice box onto the square during practice, due to concerns that it would damage to the strip. Kotak told the reporters:

Curator yelled at support staff when they were getting ice box. [Gautam] Gambhir objected at that. The way he spoke irked Gambhir. Everyone knows curator at The Oval is not the easiest person to deal with.

Furthermore, the Indian batting coach added that earlier that morning, the coaching staff members were also instructed by Lee Fortis and his ground staff to maintain a distance of at least 2.5 meters from the match pitch during their inspection. Kotak suggested that all these incidents prompted Gambhir’s angry reaction, as Fortis was being ‘possessive’ and ‘over-protective’ about the pitch square.

Meanwhile, Fortis also spoke to the media following the incident, stating that he was simply performing his job. Fortis was reportedly against the use of the pitch square because the Oval is scheduled to host further matches even after the India-England series, including the upcoming Hundred season.

Former Indian Cricketers React to Gautam Gambhir – Pitch Curator Spat at The Oval

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s heated on-field spat with the Oval’s pitch curator Lee Fortis, while training, has triggered a flurry of reactions from fans and former players alike. Former Indian cricketers R Ashwin and Irfan Pathan questioned the ECB for its ‘double-standards’. 

Irfan Pathan R. Ashwin on Gautam Gambhir-Pitch Curator
Irfan Pathan and R. Ashwin reacted to the Gautam Gambhir-pitch curator argument. (via NDTV)

Given that tems typically inspect the playing surface before a match, Irfan Pathan expressed surprise at how the Indian coaches were treated at the Oval. He queried why the English coaches were permitted to inspect and stand on the pitch, while the Indian team was not, labeling it as a ‘colonial-era’ practice. The former India pacer also pointed to Lee Fortis’ alleged history of rudeness, suggesting that these instances are an attempt to malign Gautam Gambhir’s image.

Moreover, reacting to the incident, former India spinner R Ashwin, drew parallels to similar issues the Indian team encountered during their 2020-21 tour of Australia. He cautioned that these tensions could potentially disrupt the Indian team’s mindset ahead of the must-win final Test.