BCCI takes strict step after Gautam Gambhir's fight with Oval Curator

Team India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak opened up about a heated exchange between head coach Gautam Gambhir and The Oval’s pitch curator, Lee Fortis, ahead of the fifth Test. Kotak confirmed that the team would not file any formal complaint against the curator despite the disagreement during the incident.

A major controversy took place ahead of the fifth Test between India and England at The Oval, set to begin on Thursday, July 31. During India’s training session on Monday, head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen in a heated argument with pitch curator Lee Fortis. A video quickly went viral across social media.

India to Take No Action Against Oval Pitch Curator Despite Heated Exchange

During a press conference on Tuesday, Sitanshu Kotak stated that the Indian team would not file any formal complaint about the matter. Kotak said that the staff were asked to stand 2.5 meters away from the pitch, even though they were wearing joggers.

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"When we were looking at pitch, they asked us to stand 2.5m away. We were wearing joggers. It was very odd. Looking at wicket with rubber spike, nothing wrong. We see ground is not damaged. Its a pitch, not antique,” Kotak told reporters.

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

Brendon McCullum’s 2023 Pic With Lee Fortis Goes Viral After Gautam Gambhir Incident

Following the incident, a 2023 image of England head coach Brendon McCullum chatting with Lee Fortis during the Ashes went viral. McCullum was seen standing on the pitch surface, drawing comparisons to the recent confrontation between Gautam Gambhir and Fortis ahead of the fifth Test.

This incident is just the latest in a series filled with tensions. Earlier in the series at Lord’s, Shubman Gill openly showed his frustration when England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett took nearly 90 seconds to come out for their second innings.

In Manchester, England proposed ending play early as a draw seemed inevitable. However, Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, both approaching centuries, refused to shake hands. Their decision sparked a heated exchange with Ben Stokes and other England players on the field.

What Is Gautam Gambhir's Team’s Test Record at The Oval?

India have played 15 Test matches at The Oval since their first appearance in 1936. They have recorded just two wins, six losses, and seven draws at the venue. However, Gautam Gambhir’s young squad will take encouragement from India’s 157-run victory over England at this ground in 2021.

They also suffered a defeat to Australia in the 2023 World Test Championship final. India must win the fifth and final Test to draw the series. Shubman Gill and his team head into the Oval clash with momentum, having secured a hard-fought draw in the fourth Test.

With back-to-back series losses against New Zealand and Australia under Gambhir’s leadership, the head coach will be eager to avoid another series defeat.

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