Tempers ahead of this week’s crucial fifth Test between England and India at The Oval were raised to boiling point on Tuesday when visiting coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a heated exchange with head groundsman Lee Fortis.
England, who are 2-1 up in the series ahead of the final match that starts on Thursday, decided not to train following their efforts in the drawn fourth Test at Manchester that finished on Sunday.
There was a fractious conclusion to that match after the hosts reacted angrily when India refused to shake hands on the draw at the start of the final hour so that Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar could go on and get their centuries.
It was the latest flashpoint in a series that exploded into life when both teams were involved in angry exchanges during the third Test at Lord’s earlier this month.
Now more niggle has been added into the mix after Gambhir, India’s temperamental coach, clashed with Fortis during the team’s training session at The Oval on Tuesday.
VIDEO | Indian team's head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen having verbal spat with chief curator Lee Fortis at The Oval Cricket Ground in London ahead of the last Test match of the series starting Thursday. After having drawn the fourth Test at Old Trafford, India have a chance… pic.twitter.com/hfjHOg9uPf
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 29, 2025The i Paper understands Fortis was forced to intervene, warning India he might have to make an official complaint, when he saw members of the touring party dragging their kit bags across the pitch that will be used for the final Test.
Gambhir then exploded, with The i Paper being told he complained that there was too much grass on the pitch and, in a video posted by the Press Trust of India, he is heard telling Fortis: “You can go and report to whoever you want, but you can’t tell us what to do.”
Both men were then separated by India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak before Gambhir continued the argument while pointing at The Oval groundstaff.
One source at Surrey told The i Paper: “We’re looking after the square. We’ve had a lot of cricket played on it this summer and we are looking after every blade of grass.
Gambhir (centre) exploded after being confronted by Fortis (Photo: Getty)“It was two men just being protective of their jobs. The way the series has gone, it’s been a bit fractious and tempers are frayed. As far as I’m aware there won’t be a complaint put in by us.”
Fortis was tight lipped later when grilled by Indian reporters at the ground, saying: “It’s okay, we’ve nothing to hide. I don’t want to say anything. There’s a big game coming up. You saw what he [Gambhir] was like this morning. I don’t know the man.”
Kotak later explained India’s version of events, saying: “When we were having a conversation near the pitch they had sent a man to send a message for us to stay 2.5 metres away from the pitch. We were wearing joggers.
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“We know curators are possessive about the square. What he said about the head coach is his opinion and I don’t want to comment. We did nothing wrong, we were wearing rubber spikes.
“People are highly skilled and intelligent. None of the bowlers were even wearing spikes. You can be protective but not arrogant. It is not an antique that you can’t touch it. He said we are trying to grow the grass. End of the day it’s a cricket pitch. We will not be lodging any complaints.”
It is understood that England, frustrated with the surfaces for the first four Tests of the series, have asked Fortis for a pitch with more pace, carry and a bit more grass on it to aid the seamers.
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