Sourav Ganguly Downplays Gautam Gambhir’s Spat With Oval Curator
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly on Thursday addressed the ongoing pitch inspection controversy, saying he couldn’t quite understand head coach Gautam Gambhir’s reaction during Team India’s practice session at The Oval.
The issue began when Lee Fortis, the head groundsman of Surrey, reportedly stopped Indian players from closely examining the pitch ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series. Gambhir’s visible frustration over the incident quickly drew headlines.
Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Ganguly said he was genuinely baffled by Gambhir’s outburst and called for a more balanced perspective. “Let’s not exaggerate the incident,” he added, urging both media and fans not to make a mountain out of a molehill.
What Happened Between Gautam Gambhir and Oval Groundsman Lee Fortis?
The tension between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Surrey’s head groundsman Lee Fortis unfolded on Tuesday during a pre-match inspection at The Oval, just two days before the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series.
While Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak were closely examining the central square, Fortis intervened, asking them to stay at least 2.5 metres away from the pitch. Concerned about excessive foot traffic on the surface, Fortis insisted the Indian support staff maintain distance—something that didn’t sit well with Gambhir.
A video of the incident quickly went viral, showing Gambhir visibly agitated, pointing his finger and walking aggressively toward Fortis. According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Gambhir allegedly told Fortis he was “just a groundsman,” prompting Fortis to fire back with a warning that he would report the coach to the ICC match referee if the confrontation escalated.
Later that evening in London, Sitanshu Kotak addressed the issue with reporters, saying the team felt “awkward” when asked to stay away from the pitch, especially since no one was wearing spikes.
“When some of us coaches went to see the wicket, a member of the groundstaff said stay away at least 2.5 metres, which was a little surprising,” Kotak shared. “It’s just a day before a five-day Test match, and we were in joggers. It felt odd.”
Kotak didn’t dwell too much on the heated moment but did emphasize the need for better understanding between curators and coaching staff. He added that the team is conscious about not damaging the ground, stating, “Curators also need to understand the people they are talking to—they are highly skilled and intelligent. We try to ensure even the outfield remains untouched.”
