Gautam Gambhir Clashes with Oval Groundsman During India’s Practice Ahead of Fifth Test. India’s opening practice session ahead of the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy took a dramatic turn as head coach Gautam Gambhir engaged in a heated altercation with The Oval’s head groundsman, Lee Fortis.
The dispute erupted over the team’s use of the practice square, with Fortis reportedly objecting to equipment being brought onto the area. Witnesses saw Gambhir visibly agitated, raising his voice and gesturing sharply, including pointing a finger during the tense exchange.
The incident briefly disrupted the session and drew attention ahead of the high-stakes final Test. Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak later clarified the team’s perspective on the incident, stating that the tension began earlier that morning when members of India’s support staff attempted to inspect the match pitch—a routine practice before any Test match.
Oval Ground Staff’s 2.5-Metre Pitch Rule Surprises Indian Coaches: Kotak. “It was a bit surprising,” Kotak noted, adding that they were in casual attire and merely observing the surface ahead of the five-day match, which made the restriction feel somewhat awkward.
Kotak Says Incident Sparked by Unusual Conduct from Groundsman; Defends Gambhir’s Calm Nature
Sitanshu Kotak suggested that the entire episode stemmed from an unnecessarily abrupt instruction by the curator, who asked India’s coaches to stand 2.5 meters away from the pitch—even though no rules were being violated. He emphasized that curators typically intervene only when someone attempts to tamper with the wicket or walks on it with spikes.
“It was a very strange way of saying it,” Kotak remarked, adding that the situation could have been handled with more courtesy. He doesn’t talk to anyone unless needed,” implying that his response was out of concern, not aggression.
Kotak also highlighted the contrast in communication compared to previous venues during the series. He noted that in the last four matches, curators at every ground had been forthcoming and respectful, often sharing details about pitch preparations, including whether or not they would cut the grass.
“And if they don’t want to give a definite answer, they simply say, ‘We’ll see based on the weather’ or ‘We’ll decide tomorrow’—and that’s a good answer,” Kotak said. He implied that such openness fosters mutual respect, which seemed lacking in the exchange at The Oval.
Gautam Gambhir Clashes with Oval Groundsman, the situation escalated when Indian support staff wheeled a ‘cooling box’ onto the practice square during the session. Groundsman’s Outburst from Roller Sparks Gambhir’s Heated Reaction at The Oval.
Kotak Defends Team, Criticizes Curator’s Approach During Oval Incident
Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak defended the Indian team’s behavior during the Oval incident, stressing that the support staff and coaches are well-trained professionals who value pitch integrity. He highlighted that their actions reflected discipline and respect, not disregard.
He pointed out that even bowlers avoid leaving spike marks on the outfield, using spray to prevent any damage—an approach encouraged by head coach Gautam Gambhir. Kotak Says Curators Must Respect Skills and Intelligence of Team Staff. Criticizing the groundsman’s tone, he added, “You can be protective, but at the end of the day, it’s a cricket pitch, not a 200-year-old antique that will break if touched.”
Recalling the flashpoint, Kotak noted that while the support staff was placing a cooling box—barely 10 kilos—on the square, the curator shouted from atop a roller, further escalating tensions.
As tensions flared at The Oval, unverified videos surfaced on social media allegedly capturing Gautam Gambhir in a furious outburst directed at the head groundsman. In the clips, Gambhir can purportedly be heard using expletives and asserting, “You’re just a groundsman. Stay in your capacity.”
The footage, though not authenticated, quickly went viral, fueling widespread debate over the incident. Neither the BCCI nor venue authorities have officially responded to the leaked videos.
Kotak Backs Gambhir, Points to Past Complaints About The Oval’s Ground Staff
While Sitanshu Kotak refrained from delving into the exact words exchanged during the confrontation, he made it clear that Gautam Gambhir was standing up for his support staff. Kotak also hinted that India is not the only team to have faced friction at Surrey’s ground, suggesting a pattern of similar issues experienced by other visiting sides.
Interestingly, Lee Fortis, The Oval’s head groundsman at the center of the dispute, is a four-time recipient of the ECB’s Bernard Flack Memorial Trophy for the best multi-day pitches, completing a hat-trick of wins in November last year.
Kotak Says Oval Curator Has a Reputation; Defends Gambhir’s Reaction as Justified
Sitanshu Kotak defended head coach Gautam Gambhir’s reaction, stating that while it’s understandable for a curator to be protective of the pitch, the response from The Oval’s head groundsman was excessive.
“It’s good to be a little possessive and protective, but not that much,” Kotak said, explaining that Gambhir stepped in only after the support staff was shouted at. He emphasized that the staff operates under the head coach, and no coach would tolerate such treatment.
Kotak also revealed that The Oval’s curator, Lee Fortis, has a reputation among visiting teams for being difficult to deal with, a sentiment he believes is widely known—even hinting the media may be aware of it too.