 "Gautam Gambhir arguing with The Oval's chief curator. Image: ESPNcricinfo")
Before the final Test between India and England at The Oval, there was a heated argument between India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir and the chief pitch curator Lee Fortis. The two were seen exchanging words during the verbal clash that occurred two days before the start of the series finale.
Gambhir was upset because Fortis had told the Indian team staff to stay away from the pitch and apparently shouted at some of them. Sitanshu Kotak, India’s assistant coach later said that Gambhir did not like how Fortis behaved with his team members and gave it back to the curator.
Hayden reacts to Gambhir’s clash with Fortis
Now, former Australia opener Matthew Hayden has reacted to the incident. Speaking on All Over Bar The Cricket, Hayden said that Fortis seemed to be trying to show power and acting like the boss of the venue before the crucial Test match. He said that Gambhir had a right to react but should have used better language.
“This is a typical case in England. It is a bit of a flex, here we are, final Test match, this is my venue, and they are going to try and make it difficult on Gautam Gambhir. But I think he’s got every right to tone it down. He could have used better language. But the reality is, his team is trying to train ahead of the most important Test match,” Hayden said.
Before the fifth Test, the series stood at 2-1, with India needing a win in the last match to draw the contest. India eventually won the match by a narrow margin of just 6 runs and avoided a series defeat. Mohammed Siraj picked up a five-wicket haul to help India register the historic win at The Oval.
Another former Australian player and commentator, Greg Blewett, also agreed with Hayden. He said he understood Gambhir’s frustration because even commentators are told to stay away from the pitch at English grounds. But Blewett added that Gambhir could have handled the situation in a better way.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“I agree. Even now, even as a commentator, you get near the pitch and everyone is saying you can’t get anywhere near it and you’re like I haven’t got spikes on. It is quite ridiculous. I get the frustration. But I agree that the language that he used wasn’t great. If he reflects, he could have probably handled it a little better,” Blewett said.