The final Test of the India-England series just got spicier. Two days before the series deciding game, Indian coach Gautam Gambhir got in an argument with the Oval curator Lee Fortis. It is understood that the altercation was about the access of the playing area given to the Indian players.
While there was no official reaction on the incident from the Surrey Cricket County, the host, Gambhir seemed to be exchanging angry words with the curator who had allegedly questioned the presence of Indian players and coaches in a certain area of the ground.
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak gave a hint of what had transpired which led to the confrontation. “When we had gone to check out the wicket, they sent a staff member to order us to stand two and a half metres away. We were wearing joggers and standing there. It felt a little awkward,” Kotak said.
In scenes captured by Indian media, Gambhir can be seen gesticulating and confronting the Oval chief curator Fortis. In one clip, Gambhir can be heard pointing a finger at the curator and shouting “You don’t tell us what we need to do”.
WATCH: Gambhir angry with Oval curator
VIDEO | Indian team’s head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen having verbal spat with chief curator Lee Fortis at The Oval Cricket Ground in London ahead of the last Test match of the series starting Thursday.
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The incident comes just days after the players of the two teams were involved in an argument over ending the Old Trafford Test early. England captain Ben Stokes had tried to coax India players like Ravindra Jadeja to end the 4th Test early, apparently to “protect his frontline bowlers”. The Indians had declined with Jadeja and Washington Sundar on the cusp of their centuries. The Indian team had fought with their backs to the wall in that Test in Manchester against England to salvage a draw from the jaws of defeat.
India reached London on Monday and had their first training session on Tuesday.
The fifth Test could decide the fate of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy with England currently leading the series 2-1. If Shubman Gill’s India manage to win the Oval Test, they could tie the series.
