Sourav Ganguly expressed confusion over Gautam Gambhir’s outburst and called on everyone to avoid blowing the incident out of proportion.
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Sourav Ganguly Questions Gambhir’s Reaction Over Oval Pitch Inspection Incident
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly expressed confusion over head coach Gautam Gambhir’s reaction after Surrey’s head groundsman, Lee Fortis, prevented the Indian team from closely inspecting The Oval pitch during a practice session ahead of the fifth Test.
Speaking to reporters in Kolkata, Ganguly urged calm and advised against overblowing the incident. “I really don’t know why Gambhir was upset. I’m sure all coaches and captains have discussions with the groundsmen — sometimes happily, sometimes unhappily. It’s happened in my time, it’s going to happen in future also. So let’s not just make too much out of it. I wish India play well, win the Test and level the series,” he said.
What had happened between Gambhir and Fortis?
On Tuesday, head coach Gautam Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak faced a surprising restriction while inspecting the central square at The Oval ahead of the fifth Test. Surrey’s head groundsman, Lee Fortis, stopped them from getting closer than 2.5 metres to the pitch, concerned about heavy foot traffic damaging the surface.
The request did not sit well with Gambhir, who was seen in a viral video wagging his finger and walking aggressively toward Fortis. According to an ESPNcricinfo report, Gambhir allegedly dismissed Fortis by calling him “just a groundsman,” to which Fortis warned he would report Gambhir to the ICC match referee if the swearing continued.
Speaking later in London, Kotak described the situation as “awkward,” noting that the team members were wearing rubber-soled shoes, not spikes, and were simply inspecting the pitch before a five-day Test. “When some of us coaches went to see the wicket, a member of the groundstaff said stay away at least 2.5 metres, which was a little surprising,” he said.
Kotak also emphasized the professionalism of the coaching staff and the need for curators to communicate respectfully. “Curators also need to understand the people they are talking to; they are highly skilled and intelligent. For example, if you go on the ground now where we practised, you won’t even see that any bowler in the outfield would have marked with his spikes. That all comes from the head coach. We try and see this ground also doesn’t get damaged.”
