Head Coach Explodes at Oval: Gambhir’s ICC Suspension Averted at Last Minute!
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Indian cricket team’s head coach Gautam Gambhir has landed in controversy just before the fifth Test against England. During a practice session at the Oval ground in London, Gambhir reportedly had a heated argument with pitch curator Lee Fortis. The disagreement escalated to the point where Fortis allegedly threatened to file a formal complaint but later chose not to pursue the matter.
According to reports, the incident began when Fortis scolded Indian support staff and instructed them to stay at least 2.5 meters away from the pitch. Witnesses claim that Fortis’s tone was harsh, which led to Gambhir reacting angrily. It is said that Gambhir called Fortis “just a groundsman” and allegedly used offensive language.
The situation raised serious questions, especially as sources claimed that England’s head coach Brendon McCullum was allowed similar access to the pitch without objection. Former Indian cricketers Irfan Pathan and Aakash Chopra criticized the apparent double standards.
If Fortis had lodged an official complaint with the England and Wales Cricket Board or the ICC, Gambhir could have faced disciplinary action under the ICC’s code of conduct. Depending on the severity of the behavior, the penalties could have ranged from a formal warning to a ban of up to four Test matches.
However, since the curator chose not to escalate the matter, no official action has been taken, and the issue has been temporarily resolved. The incident has nonetheless stirred debate about professionalism and equality in international cricket.
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