Before the pivotal fifth and final Test match between India and England, a verbal clash erupted between India's head coach Gautam Gambhir and the pitch curator at The Oval in London. The incident occurred during India's training session on Tuesday. According to news agency PTI, India's head coach was overheard telling the groundsman Lee Fortis, 'You're just a groundsman.' However, the reason behind this confrontation remains unclear.
As the argument intensified, Gambhir told Fortis, 'Go, report whatever you want, you're just a groundsman.' During this encounter, some expletives were exchanged by Gambhir as well.
The debate sparked when players were marking their run-up in the nets. As soon as Gambhir and Fortis's heated exchange began, batting coach Sitanthu Kotak intervened, guiding the pitch curator away while Gambhir kept the argument going from a distance.
India conducted an optional practice session on Tuesday at The Oval. After bravely drawing the match in Manchester, the Indian team arrived in London on Monday.
Curator:
“Do not swear, if you misuse language again, I'll report this to the match referee.”
Gambhir:
“Go file your report, do what you want, leave now.”
Kotak and the curator exchange words (unclear).
Gambhir (to Kotak):
“Tell him, request him to leave, file the report with the referee. Do not engage in conversation with him.”
Curator:
(Unclear sound)
Gambhir:
“You shut it. Don’t dictate what we should do. It’s not your call.”
Curator:
(Unclear sound)
Gambhir:
“You do not instruct us. You have no authority over us. You're just a groundsman. Know your place.”
Curator:
(Unclear sound)
Gambhir:
“You're just a groundsman, nothing more, just a groundsman. Stay within your limits.”
Subsequently, the team participated in an event at the Indian High Commission in London, where Gambhir delivered an impassioned speech about the team’s stellar performance in this test series. He expressed that the team has displayed outstanding ability, exhibiting a level of play that every cricket fan can take pride in.
The final test match of this series will commence on Thursday, July 31. India aims to clinch a victory and level the series 2-2.
England Squad for the Fifth Test:
Ben Stokes (captain), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jack Crowley, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
Indian Squad for the Fifth Test:
Shubman Gill (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Karun Nair, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (wicketkeeper), Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur, Narayan Jagadeesan (wicketkeeper), Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Akash Deep, Kuldeep Yadav, Anshul Kamboj, Arshdeep Singh.
