Ravichandran Ashwin provided an in-depth commentary on the confrontation between Gautam Gambhir and the pitch curator at The Oval before the final Test.
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Tensions Flare as Gambhir Clashes with Curator Ahead of Oval Test
India’s final preparations for the decisive fifth Test at The Oval took a dramatic turn when head coach Gautam Gambhir engaged in a heated argument with chief curator Lee Fortis near the pitch. The confrontation erupted after Fortis allegedly instructed India’s support staff to keep a 2.5-metre distance from the surface. Visibly upset, Gambhir fired back in public: “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.”
The incident occurred during India’s Tuesday training session, attended by ten players, with captain Shubman Gill absent. Known for crafting excellent multi-day pitches but also for his tough demeanor, Fortis stood his ground, replying tersely, “I will have to report this.”
Though the players continued their drills, the altercation cast a shadow over the team’s mood just 48 hours before the crucial match. Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin offered a different perspective, suggesting the fiery exchange might actually boost the dressing room’s morale.
Ashwin drew parallels with a previous series, saying, “When we drew the Test in Sydney, there was uncertainty because we were back in the bubble and the Gabba Test was under scrutiny. England were comfortably ahead until that last Test… The way that game ended, even if it was a draw, and the conversations it triggered… it was fiery.”
Reflecting on the on-field disputes, Ashwin added, “I won’t go into whether Gambhir was right about asking for a substitute or how Stokes immediately shut it down… but seeing the video of the fight, I thought, ‘Boss, what are you doing? This isn’t how you want to play with this Indian team.’”
‘Different kettle of fish’
Ravichandran Ashwin warned that England’s antics on Day 5 in Manchester may have “poked the bear,” fueling the fiery spirit within the Indian team. He emphasized that India thrives under pressure and adversity, often rising strongest when cornered.
“When adversity is against the Indian team, somebody will rise up. When we are pushed against the wall, the Indian team becomes a different kettle of fish. It becomes a different beast,” Ashwin said. He added that this fighting spirit is a serious advantage going into the Oval Test, though results still depend on how both teams perform. “It may mean nothing if England play good cricket and India don’t end up on the right side, but somehow I feel this is not the way it has to be triggered.”