Indian coach Gautam Gambhir loses his cool with Oval pitch curator ahead of 5th Test

Dubai: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a heated argument with The Oval’s pitch curator, Lee Fortis, during an optional training session in London yesterday, according to PTI. The incident comes just days before the crucial fifth Test against England, set to begin on July 31 at the same venue.

India, led by Shubman Gill, have a chance to level the five-match series, having drawn the rain-affected fourth Test in Manchester.

Gambhir appeared visibly upset during the exchange, repeatedly pointing fingers at Fortis. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak was also seen joining the argument. While the exact reason for the disagreement is still unclear, the confrontation added to the rising tensions in an already fiery series.

Tempers have flared on multiple occasions throughout the tour. The friction began during the Lord’s Test, when Shubman Gill expressed frustration after England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett arrived nearly 90 seconds late for their second innings.

In Manchester, England captain Ben Stokes and his team were visibly agitated when Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar refused to accept their offer to end the match early, despite a draw being the only likely result. Both Indian batters were nearing centuries and opted to continue batting, prompting a war of words on the field.

Harry Brook bowled several lackluster deliveries as Jadeja and Sundar reached their hundreds. Though the match ended in a draw, the series has clearly been marked by growing hostility between the two sides.