Gautam Gambhir Clashes with Oval Groundsman Over Pitch Access Ahead of Test Match

The Indian team's preparations for the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy were disrupted by a fiery exchange between head coach Gautam Gambhir and Oval head groundsman Lee Fortis. The incident occurred during India's initial practice session and centered on a dispute regarding the team's usage of the practice area.

Gautam Gambhir during a heated discussion at the Oval. © Getty

Eyewitness accounts describe Gambhir gesturing emphatically and raising his voice as Fortis objected to equipment being brought onto the practice square.

Assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak shed light on the events leading up to the confrontation. He explained that earlier that morning, members of India's support staff were met with resistance when they attempted to inspect the pitch, a routine practice before any match.

Kotak stated, "When some of us coaches went to see the wicket, a member of the ground staff [asked us to] stay away at least 2.5 metres, which was a little surprising...we felt a little awkward."

He further elaborated on the unusual nature of the request: "But it was a very strange way of saying you go and stand two and a half meters away from here. So, I think that is what started. Because Gautam is someone who does not even speak unnecessary things. He does not talk to anyone."

Kotak highlighted the openness and cooperation they usually experience with groundskeepers, stating, "Last four games we played, everywhere, wherever we go, all the curators when they talk, they even tell you when they are going to cut the grass, whether they are going to cut the grass."

The situation escalated when support staff brought a 'cooling box' onto the square during practice. Fortis, reportedly seated on a roller, allegedly shouted at the staff, triggering Gambhir's strong response.

Kotak emphasized the team's respect for the grounds, stating, "If you go on the ground now where we practiced you won't even see that any bowlers in outfield would have marked with his spikes...we'll try and see that this ground also should not get damaged."

He added, "If you sound a bit arrogant...it's a cricket pitch. It's not an antique where you can't touch because otherwise it's 200 years old and it can be broken you know."

Kotak recounted the specific incident: "When he was bringing the cooling box there, still he was sitting on the roller, he shouted and told the support staff not to take it there. Now the weight of that cooling box will be 10 kilos according to me."

Unverified videos circulating on social media allegedly captured Gambhir saying: "You report whatever you want...You're just a groundsman, stay in your capacity."

While Kotak refrained from detailing the entire exchange, he affirmed that Gambhir was defending his staff. He also noted that other visiting teams have encountered similar issues at the Oval.

Interestingly, Fortis is a four-time recipient of the ECB's Bernard Flack Memorial Trophy, awarded for the best multi-day pitches.

Kotak concluded, "So, it is good to be a little possessive and it is also good to be protective, but not that much...before coming to Oval, most of the team knows that the curator is not the easiest person to get on with...So, that gives a lot of answers."

Sources indicate that Fortis' concerns stemmed from the extensive cricket schedule remaining at the venue, including domestic matches and The Hundred tournament.

Kotak explained, "He said that we are trying to get this grass [on the other pitches in the square]...So sometimes you want your ground to be good and square to be good but end of the day it's a cricket ground."