An unexpected controversy has emerged ahead of the fifth Test match between India and England. Reports suggest a heated argument took place between Team India's head coach Gautam Gambhir and The Oval stadium's pitch curator, Lee Fortis.
IND vs ENG 5th Test: The final and decisive match of the five-Test series between India and England will be played at The Oval (London) from July 31st. But even before that, an unexpected controversy outside the field has grabbed everyone's attention. This time, the dispute is not between the players but between Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and The Oval's pitch curator, Lee Fortis.
Several videos of this argument have gone viral on social media, showing Gautam Gambhir in a heated discussion with the pitch curator. Let's find out why this dispute happened and who Lee Fortis is, considered one of the best groundsmen in the world.
Who is The Oval's Pitch Curator, Lee Fortis?
Lee Fortis is the head groundsman at the historic Oval cricket ground in London. This ground is the official home ground of Surrey County Cricket Club and one of England's oldest and most prestigious Test venues. Lee Fortis started his career as an assistant groundsman in 2006 and took over as head groundsman in 2012. His main tasks are:
- Preparing pitches for Test and first-class cricket
- Taking care of the outfield
- Creating suitable surfaces for practice
- Ensuring pitch quality meets international standards
In 2024, Lee Fortis was awarded the "Best Multi-Day Pitch Award" for the third consecutive year. This demonstrates his expertise and the global recognition of his work.
Why Did the Dispute Between Gautam Gambhir and Lee Fortis Happen?
The argument began on July 29th at The Oval ground, when the Indian coaching staff was inspecting the pitch. Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak told the media: "We were just looking at the pitch, and then the groundsman came and said that you should stay 2.5 meters away from here. He even told the coach to stand outside the rope. I have never seen such behavior in my cricket career before. Gautam Gambhir was naturally upset by this."
Gambhir took offense because he had neither damaged the pitch nor broken any rules. He believed that such behavior towards a head coach was discourteous. Gambhir's demeanor is usually serious and disciplined, but if a situation unnecessarily creates a conflict, he does not remain silent — and that's what happened in this situation as well.
India vs England: When and Where is the Fifth Test?
- Match Date: July 31st to August 4th, 2025
- Location: The Oval, London
- Time: 3:30 PM Indian Standard Time
- Toss: 3:00 PM
England captain Ben Stokes has won the toss in all four Tests played so far, giving England a strategic advantage in the matches. This Test at The Oval will decide the fate of the series, making this off-field controversy significant.
