Turf Wars: Shubman Gill Defends Gambhir in Curator Clash

In a recent development at The Oval, Captain Shubman Gill backed Gautam Gambhir following a heated exchange with chief curator Lee Fortis. The altercation centered around the rights of the Indian coaching staff to inspect the pitch square, which Fortis restricted, asking the staff to maintain a 2.5-meter distance.

The dispute arose when Gambhir expressed frustration, exclaiming that the groundsman had no authority to impose such restrictions, especially on the eve of the final Test. Gill, addressing the issue, remarked that the incident was unnecessary and argued that coaching staff should be allowed to inspect the wicket if certain conditions are met, such as wearing rubber-spiked shoes.

In contrast, English cricketers, including Joe Root and stand-in skipper Ollie Pope, were observed freely shadow batting on the pitch, further complicating the already tense situation. The controversy draws attention to the ongoing discussions about access and rights on the cricket field.

(With inputs from agencies.)