India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak shed light on the ugly confrontation between head honcho Gautam Gambhir and The Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis ahead of the fifth and final Test against England, beginning July 31. The incident took place when Gambhir and other members of the Indian support staff were inspecting the playing surface on Tuesday.
Eyewitnesses at the ground revealed that Gambhir was visibly agitated during the exchange and even pointed fingers while raising his voice at Fortis. Kotak and other members of the management were also present at the scene. The verbal spat escalated quickly, forcing Kotak to step in and diffuse the situation.
According to Kotak, the argument stemmed from the curator shouting at an Indian support staff member. This reportedly infuriated Gambhir, who did not hold back. "You don’t tell us what we need to do. You can’t tell any one of us what we need to do. You are just a groundsman, stay like a groundsman," Gambhir said as quoted to Fortis.
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Gautam Gambhir in Heated Spat with The Oval Pitch Curator, Sitanshu Kotak Opens Up
Addressing the media ahead of the Test, Kotak elaborated on what led to the heated altercation.
"The curator yelled at the support staff when they were getting the ice box. Gambhir objected to that. The way he spoke irked Gambhir. Everyone knows the curator at The Oval is not the easiest person to deal with. India will not lodge any official complaint," Kotak said as quoted in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
Kotak further explained that the situation worsened when the team management was asked to stand unusually far from the pitch.
"When we were looking at the pitch, they asked us to stand 2.5m away. We were wearing joggers. It was very odd. Looking at the wicket with rubber spikes - nothing wrong. We see the ground is not damaged. It's a pitch, not an antique," he added.
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Curator Considering Lodging Complaint Against Gautam Gambhir
Fortis later brushed off the incident, calling Gambhir a "touchy guy," but multiple reports suggest that he is considering filing a formal complaint against the former India opener.
Gambhir, however, appeared unbothered by the threat. "You can go and report to whoever you want, but you can’t tell us what to do," he was quoted as saying.
India, who are trailing the series, will be desperate for a win in the upcoming Test at The Oval to draw level. Earlier, Shubman Gill and Co. managed to secure a draw at Old Trafford.
Also read: IND vs ENG: 'Go report to whoever you want' - Oval pitch curator hits back at Gautam Gambhir