Tensions between England and India have intensified ahead of the fifth and final Test at The Kia Oval, with India head coach Gautam Gambhir involved in a heated exchange with Oval head groundsman Lee Fortis.
The incident occurred during India’s training session when Fortis reportedly took issue with members of the Indian team being too close to the main square. With plenty of domestic and international cricket still scheduled at the venue, Fortis requested that the players maintain a distance from the pitch. Gambhir, however, did not take kindly to the instructions.
In video footage circulating on social media, Gambhir can be heard saying:
“You can go and report to whoever you want, but you can’t tell us what to do. You don’t tell us what to do, you’re just a groundsman.”
When approached by Indian media, Fortis declined to escalate the matter, stating simply:
“There’s nothing to speak about. There’s nothing to hide here.”
India’s batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, later addressed the confrontation in a press conference:
“When some of us went to look at the wicket, a member of the groundstaff told us to stay at least 2.5 metres away, which was surprising. We were wearing rubber soles. We all know curators are protective of the square, but they must realise they’re talking to highly-skilled professionals.”
INDIAN COACH GAUTAM GAMBHIR 🔥🥶 pic.twitter.com/Vyy96wqLjN
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 29, 2025
He added:
“At the end of the day, it’s a cricket pitch, not some fragile antique. Of course, you want the surface to be in good condition, but let’s be practical.”
This is the latest in a series of fiery moments during an increasingly spiky series. Just two days earlier, tensions flared during the final day of the drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford. With a draw virtually certain, England were visibly annoyed when India opted to bat on so that Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar could complete their maiden Test centuries.
In response, England captain Ben Stokes turned to part-time bowlers Harry Brook and Joe Root for the final overs, a clear signal of their displeasure.
Former England batter Mark Ramprakash later defended the Indian batters, saying they had “earned the right” to continue and that England’s reaction “did not reflect well on them.”
The third Test at Lord’s also saw its share of controversy, with England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett using delaying tactics to avoid facing an extra over before stumps. India captain Shubman Gill criticised the delay, calling it “against the spirit of the game.”
India pacer Mohammed Siraj was also fined 15 per cent of his match fee and received a demerit point for giving Duckett a send-off after dismissing him in the same match.
With England leading the five-match series 2–1, the final Test at The Kia Oval begins on Thursday, 31 July 2025, live on Sky Sports. The series, already rich in drama and controversy, now heads into its decisive match with tempers flaring both on and off the field.