England's Hypocrisy Exposed After Gambhir-Curator Clash: 'Different Rules For..'
Aakash Chopra criticised England's hypocrisy, noting a dispute between The Oval's curator Lee Fortis and India's coach Gautam Gambhir over pitch access.
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra laid bare England's hypocrisy with a pointed attack on social media.
The cricketer-turned-commentator on Tuesday weighed in on the controversial altercation between The Oval's chief curator, Lee Fortis and the Indian men's cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir. Aakash Chopra also pointed out that the same groundman was seen standing on the pitch with the England head coach Brendon McCullum, ahead of an Ashes Test in 2023.
#Aakashvani #ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/NALsH3y7Al — Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 29, 2025
What Is The Gambhir-Curator Controversy?
India head coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a heated exchange with The Oval's chief curator, Lee Fortis. Gambhir was heard saying, 'You don't tell us what we need to do," while pointing fingers at the groundstaff.
The Oval is set to host the fifth and final Test between India and England starting Thursday, following India's remarkable comeback to draw the fourth match in Manchester.
India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explained that the altercation occurred after the visitors were asked to stand '2.5 metres from the wicket." Despite the incident, Kotak confirmed that the Indian team would not be filing any complaint.
'Honestly, one of the ground staff came and said (that we were required to) stand 2.5 metres from the wicket and 'go outside the rope and see the wicket'. I have never seen something like that," Kotak stated to the media later. He added, 'No complaint is needed for this."
Kotak mentioned that the Indian squad members were not wearing spikes, eliminating any risk to the surface.
'Before this game, we had an idea that the curator is not the easiest person to work with. Being possessive is good but no so much. We had joggers on (and) not spikes so there was no danger," he said.
During the training session, videos that have gone viral on social media show Gambhir in a verbal altercation with the curator, prompting Kotak to intervene and calm the situation.
The dispute began when Fortis told Gambhir, 'I will have to report this," and to that the Indian head coach replied rather tersely: 'You go and report whatever you want to report."
Kotak then stepped in, took Fortis aside, and assured him, 'We won't damage anything."
Other Indian support staff, including bowling coach Morne Morkel and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, were seen listening keenly to the argument.
Although the reason for the argument was unclear, Gambhir and Fortis appeared to be disputing the conditions of the practice pitches. Gambhir insisted that Fortis should not be telling his team 'what to do."
'You can't tell us what to do. You are just one of the groundsmen, nothing beyond," Gambhir was seen saying in the video.
Fortis and Gambhir then went their separate ways, with Gambhir returning to oversee the net session.
As he walked from the field to his room, Fortis remarked, 'It's a big game, and he (Gambhir) is a bit touchy."
(With inputs from Agencies)
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Aakash Chopra controversy Gautam Gambhir India vs England India vs England 2025 The Oval
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July 29, 2025, 19:32 IST
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