'We have played enough cricket...': Shubman Gill takes a dig at The Oval pitch curator after Gambhir saga

India.com

3 days ago

'We have played enough cricket...': Shubman Gill takes a dig at The Oval pitch curator after Gambhir saga
New Delhi: India captain Shubman Gill expressed deep displeasure at Surrey chief curator Lee Fortis, who did not allow the Indian team to closely inspect the Oval pitch. Fortis instructed the players to stay at least 2.5 meters away from the main pitch, which also surprised the coaching staff. Even though the coaching staff was wearing only jogger shoes, which do not damage the pitch, they were still not allowed to inspect it. Indecent Behaviour with Coaching Staff and Gambhir's Reaction
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak said that Fortis spoke rudely to a member of the Indian support staff when he placed a cooling box near the pitch. This angered head coach Gautam Gambhir, who got into an argument with Fortis. In a video, Gambhir is heard angrily telling Fortis: 'You can't tell us what to do' and 'You're just the groundsman, nothing beyond,' which triggered sharp reactions on social media. Shubman Gill Supported Gambhir
Shubman Gill, in a press conference on Wednesday, said he had never seen anyone being asked to stay 2.5 meters away from the pitch before. He added, 'As long as you are wearing rubber spikes or are barefoot, you can go near the pitch. No curator told us this while playing four matches here.' He also stated that inspecting the pitch is standard procedure for players. Sitanshu Kotak Defended Coach Gambhir
Batting coach Kotak clarified that the controversy began when Fortis shouted at a support staff member. Kotak said, 'Gambhir just said not to talk to the support staff like this. At the end of the day, it is a cricket pitch, not an antique that cannot be touched.' He criticized Fortis' overly protective attitude. Ben Stokes Kept Distance from the Controversy
England captain Ben Stokes, who is not playing in the final Test due to a shoulder injury, distanced himself from the issue. He said, 'I wasn't here, so I don't know what happened. Although, it's hard not to see these things.' Tensions Had Already Escalated Earlier
This controversy comes at a time when the series is already in a tense phase. England leads 2-1 in the five-match series, with the final Test starting Thursday. Earlier, the Indian camp had objected to the time-wasting tactics of England openers during the Lord's Test. The fourth Test also ended in controversy when Jadeja and Sundar declined an early draw offer in pursuit of personal milestones.