ENG vs IND 2025: Team India batting coach opens up on Gautam Gambhir's altercation with Surrey groundsman

India's preparations for the fifth and final Test against England at The Oval witnessed a heated argument between head coach Gautam Gambhir and Surrey’s head groundsman, Lee Fortis, during the team’s training session. The verbal spat, recorded on video, has gone viral, drawing significant attention just days ahead of the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

With England leading the five-match series 2-1, India landed in London following a fighting draw in Manchester. As the players and support staff arrived for an optional training session at The Oval on Tuesday, the spat escalated when groundstaff reportedly objected to the Indian team’s proximity to the match pitch.

India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak clarified the incident in a press interaction, saying the confrontation began after a member of the groundstaff asked the Indian contingent to stand 2.5 metres away from the wicket. 

“Honestly, one of ground staff came and said (that we were required to) stand 2.5 metre from the wicket and 'go outside the rope and see the wicket'. I have never seen something like that. No complaint is needed for this. Before this game, we had an idea that the curator is not the easiest person to work with. Being possessive is good but no so much. We had joggers on (and) not spikes so there was no danger,” Kotak told the media later.

ENG vs IND 2025: Gautam Gambhir fumes at Oval groundsman

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ENG vs IND 2025: Gautam Gambhir fumes at Oval groundsman

You go and report whatever you want to report: Gambhir

According to ESPNcricinfo, Fortis was concerned about the Indian team’s use of the main square and players getting too close to the pitches, which he wanted to save for the remainder of the English summer. However, the Indian camp found the demands unusual, especially as players were not wearing spikes. Kotak tried to calm the situation. However, Gambhir quickly exchanged a few words with the curator.

"You go and report whatever you want to report. We won't damage anything. You can't tell us what to do. You are just one of the groundsmen, nothing beyond," Gambhir was heard saying.

Kotak confirmed that the Indian team would not be filing any formal complaint. He also pointed out that the team had taken precautions to avoid damaging the surface.