Preparations for the fifth test, emerging by a series between India and England, unexpectedly turned after confrontation between the head coach India Gautam Gambhir and the oval curator Lee Fortis during the training of visitors, evoked a wider debate of double standard.
The quarrel, which occurred two days before the decisive test, was reported to be instructed by the members of the India support staff to maintain a distance of 2.5 meters from the playground during their inspection. Gambhir, known for his direct approach, took advantage of the exemption from the directive.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as visibly tense, with Gambhir allegedly says Fortis: “You don’t tell any of us what we have to do. You don’t have the right to tell us. You’re just the Přísnov-Pit behind them.” Fortis, who supervised the playground for several years and was awarded the ECB for his work, said, “I will have to report it.”
The verbal exchange witnessed ten Indian players present in the field, with the exception of Captain Shaubman Gill. The team was preparing under normal conditions, with most supporting employees wore runners rather than during such preliminary meetings.
Indian coach of Sitanshu Kotak, who hit the situation, later provided context:
“When we looked at the goal, someone came and told us to stand 2.5 meters away. That was at least surprising.
Kotak added that even though it is fair for the curator to protect the playground, “not to this extent”. He also revealed that some Indian players have privately warned him that Fortis “is not the easiest person he will work with”.
Hours after the Gambir-Fortis quarrel, the same curator of the playground standing on the playground with the English head coach Brendon McCullum on the social media viral.
“Brendon McCullum takes his first inspection on the pitch 48 hours with Lee Fortis’s oval head,”-he reads the headline of the viral painting from the ashes of 2023 and shows two standing on the pitch under practically identical conditions before the match.
The former Indian opener and prominent commentator Aakash Chopra ruled the conversation by sharing photography on social media and accused the curator of the oval playground of hypocrisy and raised questions about double standards.
“Why are you looking at this pitch, brother? You stay 25 meters away. That’s what Gamsman told Gambhir. And yet, here’s the same curator on the McCull playing two days before the Ashes test. What’s going? Chopra posted on X (formerly Twitter).
No official complaint
Despite the heated nature of the Kotak exchange, India confirmed that India would not file a formal complaint. However, the situation, however, pointed out wider concerns that were often expressed by visiting teams in England’s imbalance in how access and authority are enforced in the introduction to tests.
The cricket council in England and Wales (ECB) must still issue a public statement about the incident. Meanwhile, the oval boasts the production of the highest quality playground under Fortis Stewardship, after winning the ECB for the best multi -day surfaces in each of the last three years.
Yet the perception of inconsistency, especially when dealing with high -profile visiting teams, can now shade this reputation. As Kotak said, “It is okay to be property about your playground. But there must be a line.”
– ends
Published:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
29. July 2025
