India Object to Restriction on Pitch Inspection at The Oval
India captain Shubman Gill has criticized Oval curator Lee Fortis for restricting India’s support staff from closely inspecting the pitch two days ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The incident, which involved a heated exchange between Fortis and India head coach Gautam Gambhir, has cast a shadow over the lead-up to the series decider.
“I thought what happened was absolutely unnecessary,” Gill said in his pre-match press conference. “We’ve been here for almost two months. A coach has every right to look at the pitch from close quarters. I don’t know why the curator would not allow us.”
What Happened: Staff Told to Stay 2.5m Away
According to India assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak, Fortis instructed the team to stay at least 2.5 meters away from the pitch on Tuesday. The same restriction did not apply to England, who were allowed full access to inspect the wicket on Wednesday morning.
Gill himself wasn’t present on Tuesday, but after training on Wednesday, he confirmed India had never encountered such restrictions at any of the other four venues: Headingley, Edgbaston, Lord’s, and Old Trafford.
“As long as you’re barefoot or wearing rubber spikes, it’s always been fine to go near the wicket,” he said. “This was the first time we were stopped.”
Was Gambhir’s Reaction About Pressure? Gill Says No
When asked whether India’s position in the series (trailing 1-2) contributed to Gambhir’s angry response, Gill disagreed. “Not really,” he said. “The issue was purely about being told we couldn’t inspect the pitch up close, which has never happened to us before.”
He added, “It doesn’t matter if you’ve won or lost; coaches and captains have always had that right. We’ve played cricket long enough to know this is normal practice.”
No Hard Feelings Between Teams, Says Gill
Despite tensions that have simmered since Day 3 at Lord’s, Gill maintained that relations between the two sides remain respectful.
“The relationship is fantastic. On the field, you’re trying to win, so things can get intense. But once the match is over, there’s mutual respect between both teams,” he said.
Go to the journey of wealth:
