During a training session at the Oval, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and the pitch curator, Lee Fortis, had a heated exchange. The trouble started when Fortis was upset with some players carrying drinks onto the field and shouted at them. Gambhir was unhappy with how Fortis spoke to his team and stepped in to defend them, saying, “You cannot talk to my players like that.” The situation quickly escalated, with Fortis threatening to file a complaint. However, the Indian team decided not to take any action, choosing instead to handle the matter quietly and professionally.
Further details revealed that Gambhir’s reaction was a response to Fortis firing the first shots. Kotak, India’s batting coach, explained that Fortis was being overly strict by telling the team to stay 2.5 meters away from the pitch, which seemed unnecessary given it was a five-day Test match and the players were wearing joggers, not spikes. Kotak defended the team’s approach, stating that checking the pitch with rubber spikes is harmless and that the ground shows no damage. He emphasized that experienced players are well aware of the risks and know how to behave on the field.
Despite the tension, India chose to rise above the incident, opting not to lodge any formal complaints. Kotak criticized Fortis’ attitude, reminding everyone that the team is composed of professionals who understand the importance of respecting the pitch and the game. The episode highlighted underlying tensions, but the team remained focused on the upcoming match, maintaining a calm and disciplined approach.
