Turf Tension: Gambhir's Heated Spat with Oval Curator

The preparation for India's crucial fifth Test against England took an unexpected twist as head coach Gautam Gambhir clashed with The Oval's chief curator, Lee Fortis. The incident occurred when Fortis asked the Indian team staff to maintain a 2.5-metre distance from the pitch, leading to a heated verbal exchange.

In a tense encounter, Gambhir questioned Fortis's authority, stating, 'You don't tell any of us what we need to do.' Fortis countered by mentioning he would report the incident. India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak intervened, attempting to defuse the situation while explaining the coaches found the distance directive surprising.

The incident highlighted communication issues, with Kotak noting the importance of respect between skilled professionals and ground staff. Despite the tension, no formal complaint was lodged, and players continued preparations for the Test match, aware of Fortis's reputation for being difficult to work with.

(With inputs from agencies.)