Only two days before the fifth test in The Oval, a tense exchange between Team India and the main curator of the ground, Lee Fortis. The confrontation started when India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir was stopped inspecting the field.
According to reports, Gambhir was involved in a sharp exchange with Fortis after he had been refused access. The Indian coach pointed a finger and said something during the face-off. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak quickly stepped in to calm things down and spoke briefly with Fortis.
The situation did not end there. On Wednesday, Fortis again approached Gambhir, Kotak and opener Shubman Gill as they were near the field. He asked the trio to leave. They shifted somewhat to the edge of the strip, but the exchange continued.
Watch the video here
When Lee Fortis met Gautam Gambhir again …pic.twitter.com/rw9jlgqd8n
– Finanres (@im_sided) July 30, 2025
Kotak again played Peacemaker and took the lead in relieving tensions. Assistant coach Ryan Ten Dochate also spoke with Fortis while Gambhir continued to express his opinion.
Fortis later said to the media: “It’s not my job to be happy with him. I think you should ask him.”
Later that day, Kotak and other members of India’s coaching staff were seen who spoke with an English official near the field, probably explained their side of the story.
The incident contributes to the growing voltage prior to the final test with high bet, with the series on the line. Although such access disputes are not new in the international cricket, the public nature of the exchange and the viral video brought attention to the pitch protocol and the treatment of visiting teams.
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