Tensions Flare at The Oval as India Coach Gambhir Clashes with Ground Curator Ahead of Final Test

London, July 29, 2025 — On the eve of the highly anticipated final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, emotions ran high at The Oval as India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a fiery verbal exchange with Lee Fortis, the chief curator of the ground. The confrontation, which unfolded during India’s practice session, reflected the simmering intensity that has characterized this series between India and England.

Eyewitnesses reported that Gambhir appeared visibly upset with the practice arrangements and directly confronted Fortis. Animatedly pointing fingers, the Indian coach raised his voice and was heard saying, “You don’t tell us what to do,” before storming away from the nets. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak quickly intervened, pulling Fortis aside and attempting to pacify the situation with a brief conversation. India’s assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate also joined Kotak, as the Indian team management tried to calm tempers.

Despite efforts from the Indian camp to downplay the incident, the heated exchange underscored growing tensions. When approached by reporters, Fortis declined to comment, tersely stating, “It’s not my job to be happy with him. I don’t know, you have to ask him.” Meanwhile, Kotak and other Indian officials were seen speaking with an English cricket official, with India’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar also present at the scene.

This isn’t the first display of emotion in what has been a volatile series. Tempers had already flared during the third Test at Lord’s when Indian skipper Shubman Gill accused England’s Zak Crawley of time-wasting, leading to a heated on-field confrontation that involved sarcastic applause and aggressive gestures from both sides. The pattern continued during the final hours of the fifth Test at Old Trafford, where Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar resisted the idea of settling for a draw despite England’s attempts to wind down play. Jadeja eventually hammered a century amid a snide comment caught on stump mic from Ben Stokes, prompting a sharp retort from the Indian all-rounder.

India, currently trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, managed to keep their hopes alive with the drawn fourth Test. All eyes are now on The Oval, where the final match beginning Thursday will decide whether India can level the series 2-2. With emotions simmering both on and off the field, the finale promises to be nothing short of electrifying.