ENG vs IND 2025: Gautam Gambhir in heated exchange with The Oval Groundsman Lee Fortis – What really happened?
In the buildup to the decisive fifth Test between India and England at The Oval in July 2025, a dramatic episode took place on the hallowed Oval Square, an altercation between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Surrey’s renowned groundsman, Lee Fortis.
The clash, witnessed by journalists, staff, and cricket fans alike, has sparked debates about the treatment of visiting teams, the role of ground staff, and the sometimes-tense cultural dynamics that bubble up in high-stakes international cricket.
What actually happened?
The verbal spat erupted during India optional training session on July 29, just two days before the series decider. Gambhir, along with members of his coaching staff, was inspecting the pitch area, standard practice before a pivotal Test. Reports indicate that Lee Fortis, head groundsman and a multiple-time recipient of the ECB’s Best Groundsman award, asked the Indian contingent to step away from the pitch, allegedly citing concerns over pitch preservation.
Tensions escalated sharply. Gambhir, visibly angered, pointed at Fortis and was overheard saying, “You are just a groundsman. You don’t tell us what we can do.” The exchange, laced with finger-wagging and raised voices, lasted several minutes with both men holding their ground.
The situation grew more volatile when Fortis reportedly reprimanded an Indian support staff member for wheeling a cooling box across the square. Later, India batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, explained, “When the support staff was getting the cooling box, which is just about 10 kg, the curator shouted at them. That’s when Gautam confronted him and told him he can’t talk to the support staff like that”.
Kotak insisted their behaviour posed no risk: “We know curators can be overprotective, but there’s nothing wrong in looking at the pitch two days before the game. We had our rubber shoes on, no spikes, and were simply observing the surface.”
He also highlighted what the India side considered double standards, claiming that England head coach Brendon McCullum and ECB managing director Rob Key were seen on the square in leather shoes and were not told to move or maintain a distance: “They were not told anything in front of us. If you sound a bit arrogant when talking to highly skilled people, you should know it’s just a cricket pitch at the end of the day”.
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Lee Fortis’s reputation with away teams
Lee Fortis’s strict attitude is no secret. His protective approach to pitch management has often led to friction with touring teams. Recently, he reportedly clashed with the Indian women’s cricket team during a match at the Oval, though details of the incident remain scarce. Similar disputes have arisen over pitch conditions, practice facilities, and restricted access to preparation areas, with some describing Fortis as overly assertive in safeguarding his domain.
As a groundsman, Fortis is reputed for his meticulous standards and over-possessiveness, eager to enforce rules to protect the playing surface. Many, including Indian team staff, suggested that visiting sides have long struggled to get ‘friendly’ access to the main square during preparation.
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Reactions from cricket experts
Ravichandran Ashwin, former India spinnerput a competitive spin on the episode, likening it to famous on-field adversities that galvanised Indian teams in the past. “When we are pushed against the wall, the Indian team becomes a different beast. Adversity brings out the best in us. Maybe this will help our morale,” he was quoted by TOI as saying.
Lee Fortis himself,when asked, downplayed the significance, saying, “It is quite a big game coming up. It is not my job to be happy with him (Gambhir) or not. I have never met him before today… we have nothing to hide”.
Behind the drama
This confrontation is more than just a personal spat. It reveals deeper themes in modern cricket, where high-pressure series magnify every perceived slight and administrative action. Visiting teams often feel the ‘home advantage’ of host countries extends beyond the crowd and local knowledge to the very management of key facilities.
Experts have advocated for clearer, uniform ground protocols and better pre-match coordination to prevent such rows, which only serve to distract from the cricket itself. Yet, as Ashwin suggested, such adversity can sometimes serve as a rallying point for a visiting side eager to prove its mettle on the biggest stage.
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