![Gautam Gambhir arguing with Oval curator [Source: @CineCricContext/X]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1753790449542_Gambhir_argue(1).jpg?type=mq)
Gautam Gambhir arguing with Oval curator [Source: @CineCricContext/X]
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has shed light on head coach Gautam Gambhir's controversial fallout with Kennington Oval curator Lee Fortis. This afternoon, Gambhir was involved in a heated exchange with Fortis, as the incident spiced things up ahead of the Test series decider between India and England at Kennington Oval.
Kotak Provides Key Details On Gambhir-Fortis Saga
In the pre-match press conference, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak opened up on the things that led to Gambhir's verbal spat with Lee Fortis. As revealed by Sports Now journalist Ankan Kar, the Oval groundsman told the Indian team to stay at least 2.5 metres away from the pitch while allowing the English side to have a thorough look at the playing strip.
Added to that, the Oval curator was unhappy with the Indian support staff for keeping the cooling box, weighing around 10 kilograms, near the nets. The curator's rude behaviour towards the Indian support personnel prompted Gambhir to step in and defend his troops.
"The Groundsman asked us to stay 2.5 metre away from pitch. That was odd. England coach and support staff also came to see the pitch, nothing was said to them in front of us. Cooling box was 10KGs and it being near nets, Curator was rude with support staff. Then Gautam Gambhir came into picture" Kotak was quoted as saying by Ankan Kar on his X handle.
"Ground Staff said to go out of Rope and stand 2.5m away from pitch, we were in joggers, nobody was wearing spikes which would damage the pitch," he added.
Despite the heated exchange, the Indian team managed to toil hard in the nets and get sufficient practice in the optional training session. The fifth Test between India and England commences on Thursday, July 31, at Kennington Oval in London.
