‘You’re just a groundsman’ – India coach wags finger in Oval curator’s face as controversial England series boils over
INDIA coach Gautam Gambhir had a heated row with the Oval groundsman as his team prepared for their series decider.
The former opener could be seen repeatedly pointing his finger ahead of the clash with England.
Gambhir could be seen pointing his finger at The Oval’s chief curator
X formerly Twitter / @raysportz_cricGambhir continued pointing his finger while the groundsmen was talking to another member of staff[/caption]
A video from the Press Trust of India showed Gambhir in discussions with The Oval’s chief curator Lee Fortis.
And it appeared that Fortis threatened to report Gambhir, for unknown reasons.
The India coach was then heard replying: “You can go and report to whoever you want, but you can’t tell us what to do.”
Gambhir then continued: “You don’t tell us what to do, you’re just a groundsman.
“You’re just a groundsman… nothing beyond that.”
The incident comes just two days after India got in an argument with Ben Stokes and the England team on the fifth day at Old Trafford.
With the match heading for a draw, Stokes offered to shake hands with the India team and end the day’s play.
But India insisted on continuing playing so that Ravi Jadeja and Washington Sundar could pick up centuries.
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In the video, Jofra Archer could be heard replying: “If you wanted a hundred you should’ve batted like it earlier!”
When the India players continued to insist on playing until they’d both got a hundred, Stokes relented – with a huge caveat.
It's fair to say the England players were not impressed with Ravindra Jadeja's century India refused to end the Test early, and only accepted the proposal once Jadeja and Washington Sundar reached their centuries. #BBCCricket #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/Kd0IYhfxm0— Test Match Special (@bbctms) July 27, 2025
He said: “You’re going to get the chance to do it against [batters] Harry Brook or Ben Duckett.”
Jadeja then managed to hit his century off Harry Brook, after Stokes refused to risk his fast bowlers picking up injuries.
VIDEO | Indian team's head coach Gautam Gambhir was seen having verbal spat with chief curator Lee Fortis at The Oval Cricket Ground in London ahead of the last Test match of the series starting Thursday. After having drawn the fourth Test at Old Trafford, India have a chance… pic.twitter.com/hfjHOg9uPf— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 29, 2025
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