The contentious encounter between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Lee Fortis, a member of the ground staff at the Oval in London, ahead of the fifth Test between England and India, has since made headlines. In a video that circulated on social media, Gambhir was seen lecturing the groundsman for not allowing him to stay near the pitch where the forthcoming match would be played.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has come out in support of his former teammate, stating Gambhir had every right to stand close the 22-yard line. In fact, Pathan has chastised the groundsman for even considering doing something like what he did a couple of days before the game, while English players were free to roam on the surface, as evidenced by images online.

“This curator has a history of harsh behaviour. There have been multiple examples of him behaving in this manner with the captains and coaches of international teams. It isn’t the first time. Gambhir’s villainization has been ongoing in the media for quite some time.” Pathan expressed this on his YouTube channel.

Looking at photographs of English players and coaching staff standing on the pitch prior of the game, the Baroda native thought it amusing that only the Indian squad was not permitted to enter. Pathan also believes that Gambhir should have gone near the pitch to check the hardness of the surface and whether it is dry or wet, as this could have a direct impact on the playing combination for the match beginning July 31.

“We end up creating a crimson carpet for visiting teams in India. When we travel abroad, we adhere to the rules, which should not cause any problems. There’s a photo on Twitter of the same curator standing on the same ground as England coach Brendon McCullum two days before a match.

Gautam Gambhir had gone two days earlier.

How can you possibly deny him? English coaches are permitted, but Indian coaches are not. It feels like we are stuck in 1947. I refuse to accept this (double standard). How will you prepare for the game if you do not have the opportunity to inspect the pitch? You must touch the pitch to get a sense for how hard it is and whether it has dampness. That cannot be obtained by staring from a distance of 2.5 meters. “This was an unnecessary controversy,” he said.

England make four changes for fifth game

The upcoming match will see England enter the contest without the likes of their mainstay skipper Ben Stokes and ace pacer Jofra Archer. Apart from the duo, the hosts have made two additional changes, which has sort of revamped their bowling attack for the summit clash of the series. Ollie Pope will be captaining the side for this game.