ENG vs IND 2025: 'Gautam Gambhir could have used better language' - Matthew Hayden on India coach's heated altercation with Oval curator
"I used to sit in the middle and meditate. And, often there would not be a person that would not come up to me and tell me to move," Matthew Hayden stated.
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Gautam Gambhir gave a befitting reply to some of his naysayers after guiding a relatively inexperienced Indian team to draw the five-match Test series 2-2 against England. Not many gave India a chance heading into the tour, with a strong England side waiting to use the home conditions to their advantage. However, Shubman Gill and Co. fought fire with fire and managed to level the series after a thrilling six-run win in the final Test at The Oval in London.
Ahead of the fifth Test, India's head coach Gambhir got into a heated altercation with Oval curator Lee Fortis during one of the practice sessions. Fortis reportedly asked the Indian coaching staff to stay 2.5 metres away from the main pitch square, despite them wearing joggers or rubber-spiked shoes, prompting frustration from the Indian camp. Gambhir couldn't keep his composure after this as he gave the curator a piece of his mind.
"You don't tell any of us what we need to do... you have no right to tell us. You are just a groundsman, nothing beyond," Gambhir told Fortis.
Matthew Hayden recalled his interactions with pitch curators in the past and took Gambhir's side. However, the former Australian opener did mention that the former Kolkata Knight Riders captain could have used better language during the argument.
"I used to sit in the middle and meditate. And, often there would not be a person that would not come up to me and tell me to move. They (curators) can get pretty protective around the surface. 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," he said on 'All Over Bar The Cricket'.
Incidentally, on the day, legendary England batter Joe Root and stand-in captain Ollie Pope were found standing on the match pitch doing shadow batting.
If he reflects, he could have probably handled it a little better: Greg Blewett
Former Australian all-rounder Greg Blewett, part of the discussion panel, added that the incident was ridiculous. He also agreed with Hayden's views, saying that Gambhir could have toned himself down a bit during the spat.
Rahane recalls Siraj's fiery reaction during BGT 2020-21
"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," he said.