Gautam Gambhir and Pitch Curator Lee Fortis in a War of Words, Watch Video

London (The Uttam Hindu): India's head coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a heated exchange with The Oval's pitch curator Lee Fortis during a practice session ahead of the fifth and final Test against England. The confrontation occurred when Fortis reportedly asked the Indian team to stand 2.5 meters away from the pitch while inspecting it, which batting coach Sitanshu Kotak found surprising given the team's experience. Gambhir visibly agitated, pointed fingers at Fortis, and said, "You don’t tell us what to do. You can go and report to whoever you want, but you can’t tell us what to do". Kotak intervened to mediate, but the situation remained tense.

The exact trigger for the disagreement is still unclear, but it appears to be related to the condition of the practice pitches or access granted to the Indian team in specific areas of the ground. Fortis described Gambhir as a "touchy guy" when reacting to the incident, downplaying its significance. Despite the altercation, Gambhir remained focused on the upcoming Test, acknowledging the high stakes and the team's determination to make their country proud.

The incident has drawn attention amid the ongoing series between India and England, which has seen its fair share of tensions and controversies. England is leading the series 2-1, and the pressure is on India to tie the series. The final Test is expected to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams fighting for every inch.