A few days ago, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir got into a heated argument with KIA Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis. On the eve of India’s fifth and final Test match against England in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025, there was a new episode involving the duo, but this time things were not as bad.
Fortis approached the Indian team management and captain Shubman Gill, who were having a discussion near the square. He whispered something to Gill, but Gambhir did not turn around to listen. Gambhir appeared to ignore Fortis. The former India batter strolled past the curator, hardly looking at him.
Take a look at the video below:
When Lee Fortis met Gautam Gambhir again…#ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/rw9JLgqD8N
— Sandipan Banerjee (@im_sandipan) July 30, 2025
Previously, on Tuesday, July 29, Gautam Gambhir was embroiled in a heated argument with Fortis at India’s training session.
According to reports, Fortis had instructed the Indian squad to stay at least 2.5 meters away from the main square. Later, India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, who turned pacifier during the altercation, defended the team’s behaviour, pointing out that they wore joggers rather than spikes and took care not to damage the pitch.
India is 1-2 behind in the five-match series. The Men in Blue lost in Headingley and Lord’s, but won at Edgbaston. In the fourth Test, they demonstrated admirable tenacity by salvaging a draw despite batting for more than five periods. The series is on a knife-edge, with everything to play for in the final Test, which begins on Thursday, July 31.
England have made four changes to their lineup, with Ben Stokes, Jofra Archer, Liam Dawson, and Brydon Carse missing out. Meanwhile, India will be without the services of Rishabh Pant. Jasprit Bumrah might not play this Test as the management is keen to manage his workload.
