Shubman Gill Backs Gambhir in Oval Pitch Dispute: “Coach Has Every Right to Inspect Wicket”

Shubman Gill Backs Gambhir in Oval Pitch Dispute: “Coach Has Every Right to Inspect Wicket”

India captain Shubman Gill has spoken out in support of head coach Gautam Gambhir following a heated exchange with Surrey’s head groundsman, Lee Fortis, during the team's training session at The Oval. The incident occurred on Tuesday, ahead of the fifth and final Test against England.

Tempers flared when Fortis reportedly objected to the Indian team’s presence on the main pitch square, citing heavy footfall and training gear being placed too close to the strip. He is said to have instructed the team to observe the pitch from at least 2.5 metres away. The directive sparked a sharp response from Gambhir, who was seen confronting Fortis and asserting, “You’re just a groundsman.”

Reacting to the episode, Gill, speaking at a press conference on the eve of the Test, described the situation as unwarranted.

“What happened yesterday, I thought was just absolutely unnecessary,” said Gill. “A coach has every right to be able to go up close and have a look at the wicket. We've been playing in this country for almost two months now, and never before has a curator stopped us from viewing the pitch.”

Gill confirmed he wasn’t present at the time of the altercation but emphasized that at all four previous venues—Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, and Old Trafford—the team had been allowed free access to inspect the pitch up close.

“As long as you're wearing rubber spikes or are barefoot, it’s always been fine,” Gill explained. “I don’t know what the fuss was about this time.”

The incident raised questions about whether India’s high-stakes position—trailing 2-1 in the five-match series—may have contributed to heightened tensions. Gill, however, dismissed any such suggestions.

“Not really. This is something that’s never happened before. The coach and captain need to be able to look at the surface closely—that’s part of preparation,” he said.

Despite the rising on-field intensity between the two teams—especially since the third Test at Lord’s—Gill maintained that relations between India and England remained cordial off the field.

“The relationship is fantastic. Both teams are competitive, and in the heat of the moment, things can be said or done. But there’s mutual respect once the match ends,” he noted.

The fifth Test at The Oval, starting Thursday, is a must-win for India as they aim to level the series.

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