The ongoing Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series between England and India has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, marred by continuous on-field skirmishes and off-field controversies, reflecting the intense rivalry between these cricketing powerhouses.
From Indian captain Shubman Gill‘s accusations of Zak Crawley deliberately slowing down play, to England captain Ben Stokes‘ rejected draw proposal in Manchester, the series has been a cauldron of competitive fire. This simmering tension boiled over dramatically just two days before the fifth and final Test at The Oval, igniting a fiery verbal exchange between Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis, an incident that quickly became the series’ most talked-about flashpoint.
The Oval pitch spat between Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and chief curator Lee Fortis
The heated confrontation between India’s head coach Gambhir and Oval chief curator Fortis unfolded during a pitch inspection two days prior to the fifth Test. The flashpoint occurred when Fortis reportedly instructed Gambhir and his assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak to “stay 2.5 meters away from the pitch.”
Gambhir, visibly agitated, found this directive perplexing, viewing pitch inspection as a standard protocol. He immediately challenged the curator, questioning his authority with a pointed, “Who are you to tell us what to do?” The situation escalated as Fortis, warning of a report to the match referee, only fueled Gambhir’s indignation. The Indian coach retorted, “Report it to whoever you need to!” further adding, “You’re just a groundsman, stay within your limits, who are you to tell us?”
India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak later described the curator’s behavior as “overprotective” and unnecessary, emphasizing. Kotak clarified that the team management opted not to file a formal complaint, seeking to de-escalate the matter. Meanwhile, curator Lee Fortis addressed the media, adopting a dismissive tone: “A big match is coming up. It’s not my job to be happy with Gautam Gambhir or not. I have never met him before today. You saw how he was this morning. I don’t care, I’m fine. We have nothing to hide,”. What began as a seemingly minor disagreement over pitch access quickly spiraled into a significant point of contention, highlighting the underlying tensions of the series.
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Irfan Pathan calls out hypocrisy following Gautam Gambhir’s altercation with Oval pitch curator
Mayanti Langer’s perspective on a heated exchange in a high-profile ENG vs IND Test series
The dramatic altercation at The Oval drew widespread attention, including a sharp commentary from prominent Indian sports anchor Mayanti Langer. She meticulously dissected the incident, emphasizing the dedication of pitch curators while also questioning the necessity of such a heated exchange in a high-profile series.
Sharing her views on Instagram, Langer acknowledged the immense pressure on curators, stating, “Pitch curators work very hard. And if the pitch gets a poor rating, then not just their reputation, but their job also gets lost.” She recognized that the Oval’s Chief Curator, an experienced figure who has won the ECB’s Best Curator award for three consecutive years, operates under his own set of pressures.
However, Langer swiftly turned her focus to the Indian team’s perspective, acknowledging their frustration. “Now, I understand that your team is disappointed. They are disappointed with the draw. They are thinking that they should have won in Manchester. And that is why there is pressure on you,” she stated, providing context for Gambhir’s agitated state.
Yet, she showcased the professionalism of the Indian contingent: “But the Indian team is also an experienced player. Since 1932, they have been running the test of England… Gautam Gambhir has won 2 World Cups for his country.” Langer asserted the universal right of a team to inspect the pitch before a game, emphasizing, “It is in the rules of the game, that if you are playing, you can see the situation. It is your right to inspect the pitch before a game.”
Reflecting on Gambhir’s personality, with whom she has worked, Langer noted, “Okay, the language used, I also worked with Gautam Gambhir. He is a person who will always back his country and his team 100%.” She concluded by posing a pointed question to highlight the double standards: “But this confrontation in such a high-profile series, was it necessary? If your team comes here to India, and we don’t let them see the pitch, if we don’t let Brendan McCollum and Ben Stokes come close to the pitch, will you be quiet?”
— Blablabla (@Bhaukal_ba1) July 31, 2025
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Shubman Gill opens up on Gautam Gambhir’s verbal spat with pitch curator Lee Fortis ahead of Oval Test
