July 30, 2025: Before the last match of the 5-match Anderson - Tendulkar Trophy, Indian team's head coach Gautam Gambhir reprimanded the main ground staff of the Oval Stadium, Lee Fortis, on Tuesday. He said, "You are a ground staff, don’t tell us what to do."

The Indian team, trailing 1-2 in the series, has to play the last match against England here from Thursday. By winning this match, India can level the series 2-2. After drawing the fourth Test in Manchester, the Indian team reached London to save the series and came for optional practice on Tuesday.

England head coach Brendon McCullum and Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir, along with batting coach Sitashu Kotak, reached to see the pitch at almost the same time. Lee was showing the pitch to McCullum comfortably, but his behavior towards the Indian coach was not good. Lee asked the Indian team to stay away from the main pitch, even when the members were not wearing spikes. After this, the Indian team started net practice on the practice pitch built near the square (the area around the main pitch) on the ground.

Kotak Responds to the Incident

Later, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak spoke in the press conference. He said it was strange to be told to stay away from the pitch when they were not even wearing spikes. He added, “When Gambhir and I went to see the pitch, the ground staff told us to stay 2.5 meters away. But it’s just a cricket pitch and the match is only a day away. We were wearing joggers, not spikes.”

Kotak also said, “The groundsman told us they are trying to grow grass on the side pitch. I don’t know how much grass can grow in a day. We were just looking at the wicket, and there’s nothing wrong in that.”

He hinted that the real issue may have been Fortis’ tone. “This pitch is not 200 years old that it can’t be touched. The curator must understand that the people he is talking to are skilled and smart. We also take care of the field. Our head coach always says to avoid damage. When we practiced, you won’t see any spike marks on the ground.”

On Fortis calling Gambhir short-tempered, Kotak said, “I don’t want to comment on his opinion. Everyone has the right to think what they want. But I don’t think there’s anything wrong in checking a pitch one day before a Test.”

No Issue with England Team

When asked if Fortis said the same to England head coach Brendon McCullum and team director Rob Key, Kotak said, “He didn’t say anything to them in front of us.”

On filing an official complaint, he said, “We are not planning to do that. But when our support staff was carrying the cooling box, Fortis shouted from the roller not to bring it that way. That box may weigh around 10 kg. If 70-80 kg players are walking there without issue, why stop a box?”

“All the support staff report to the head coach. That’s why Gambhir had to step in and speak up. It’s fine to be protective of the pitch, but not too much,” Kotak said.

He added, “Even before coming to the Oval, many people in our team already knew that working with these curators might not be easy. I’m sure you also know this.”

It’s worth noting that Fortis had behaved in a similar way with the Indian women’s team earlier. However, he has also won the ECB award for the best multi-day pitch (Test and County) for the last three years.