A day before the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, a new controversy has stirred tensions between the Indian team and the hosts. Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir found himself in the middle of an unexpected storm during India’s training session at The Oval, following a heated exchange with the venue’s chief curator Lee Fortis.
The Incident: A Routine Inspection Turns Hostile
Gambhir, like any coach preparing for a crucial Test, walked up to inspect the pitch—an essential part of planning strategy and team selection. But instead of cooperation, he was reportedly asked to stay 2.5 meters away from the surface, a directive that sparked immediate resistance.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed the verbal altercation, which quickly escalated into a topic of national discussion. What made it worse was the growing perception of inconsistent treatment.
Irfan Pathan Slams ‘Colonial Mentality’
Former India cricketer Irfan Pathan didn’t hold back. Taking to social media, he raised a powerful question that echoed across fan circles:
“So an English coach can walk onto the pitch to inspect it, but an Indian coach can’t? Are we still stuck in the colonial era?”
In a later video on his YouTube channel, Pathan said the episode felt like a throwback to pre-independence days and exposed a troubling pattern of double standards.
A Tale of Two Coaches
To reinforce his point, Pathan pointed to a photo from the 2023 Ashes, showing England head coach Brendon McCullum standing right on the pitch at The Oval—two days before the Test. Exactly what Gambhir was doing, but without any restrictions or reprimands.
“Gambhir was absolutely within his rights,” Pathan argued. “We follow every rule when teams visit India and offer full hospitality. But when we go abroad, this is the treatment we get? It’s deeply disappointing.”
“You Can’t Judge a Pitch From 2.5 Meters Away”
Pathan further explained that pitch inspection isn’t a formality—it’s a necessity. Coaches need to feel the surface, test for moisture, understand its bounce and hardness. None of that can be done at a distance.
“This wasn’t about breaking rules. This was about respect. If you deny access to one coach but not the other, it’s not cricket—it’s prejudice,” he said.
He also hinted that the Oval curator has had similar run-ins with overseas teams in the past, suggesting that this wasn’t an isolated incident, but part of a wider pattern.
Test Match Build-Up Marred by Off-Field Drama
With the series on the line and India trailing 1-2, this off-field drama has added unnecessary tension to an already high-stakes finale. Fans are now questioning not just pitch conditions, but also whether a level playing field is truly being offered.
Whether Gambhir’s men can rise above the distractions and square the series remains to be seen. But for now, the biggest battle is happening off the pitch.
Catch every update on Cricket News, Match Predictions, Fantasy Tips, and Live Cricket Action—only on The Cricket Scores!
