"What are you doing? This isn't how you want to play"- Gautam Gambhir's fight orders out for India

Former Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has reacted to head coach Gautam Gambhir’s heated argument with The Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis just days before the high-stakes fifth and final Test against England, starting on Thursday, July 31.

The fiery exchange between Gautam Gambhir and Lee Fortis quickly went viral and triggered strong reactions from the cricket fraternity. Reacting to the drama, Ashwin felt that this incident could serve as a blessing in disguise for India as they trail 1-2 in the ongoing five-match Test series.

Ravichandran Ashwin believes Gautam Gambhir-Lee Fortis drama could fire up India

The former Indian off-spinner has pointed out that whenever India faces a challenge or controversy, it brings out a different version of the team—a more aggressive, more determined, and often more dangerous side that they need to win the final Test against England at The Oval.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

Read Also: After Gautam Gambhir, Oval Curator gets in a tussle with Indian throw downs

India has a history of bouncing back when their backs are against the wall. With tempers flaring and emotions high, Ashwin believes that the Indian cricket team could use this controversy as motivation to turn the tide in their favor against England at The Oval.

Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel, “After all that, when I saw the video of that fight today, I was thinking, 'Boss, what are you guys doing?' This is not how you want to play against this Indian team. I have always seen that when adversity strikes the Indian team, however, it may be, someone will rise up. When things are not going right, or when we are pushed against the wall, the Indian team is a different kettle of fish; it becomes a different beast.”

England gifts psychological edge to India!!

The former Indian all-rounder believes that the confrontation might have unintentionally handed India the psychological edge going into the final test. He felt England might have stirred up the wrong storm at the wrong time, especially after they lost the chance to win the series in Manchester.

Ashwin added, “I think that particular thing, going into this Test match, is a serious advantage for India. Maybe this will mean nothing if England plays good cricket and India doesn't end up on the right side, but somehow, I have a feeling that this is not the way it has to be triggered.”

Read Also: Shubman Gill gives clear picture on Indian players' damaged relationship with...

Ravichandran Ashwin warns England by saying controversy wakes up India’s sleeping giants

The former off-spinner also recalled past moments where heated incidents pushed Indian players to unite and perform at their best.

From the Monkeygate series to the famous wins at the Gabba and Lord’s, Ashwin believes that such situations fire up the Indian team and turn them into a stronger, more dangerous unit, as he sent an open warning to England ahead of the final Test.

Ashwin signed off by saying, “When such an incident occurs, those sleeping beasts, the individually brilliant players, will come together. I have seen that many times. You look at any kind of adversity. It galvanizes the team.”

Rain threat looms over IND vs ENG 5th Test at The Oval

Notably, India is likely to make several changes to their playing XIs for the final Test, with big names like Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah either confirmed or expected to miss out. But the bigger challenge for both teams might come from the skies.

The weather forecast for Thursday in London is not looking good, with heavy rain and thunderstorms expected on the first day of the match at The Oval.