Just when you thought the India-England Test series had enough drama, things took an unexpected turn—off the field, and right on the pitch. As the fifth and final Test at The Oval approaches, tensions have flared after a heated incident between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Surrey’s chief curator, Lee Fortis.
Gambhir vs. The Curator: A 2.5-Metre Dispute
Two days before the series finale, Gambhir was reportedly told to stay 2.5 meters away from the pitch while inspecting the surface with his support staff. The instruction didn’t sit well with the former India opener, who was trying to get a feel for the surface ahead of a crucial match.
Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the incident during India’s pre-match press conference, describing the situation as “awkward.”
“We were wearing joggers, no spikes. And it’s a cricket pitch—we weren’t damaging anything. It’s not an antique,” said Kotak.
“Telling us to stay 2.5 meters away was surprising.”
To make matters worse, the curator allegedly shouted at a staff member for placing a cooling box near the square—an act that only escalated Gambhir’s frustration, leading to the now-viral confrontation.
But England Gets the Green Light?
While India faced restrictions and rebuke, the English team received a far more relaxed welcome. Just a day earlier, head coach Brendon McCullum and ECB director Rob Key were seen standing on the main square, closely inspecting the pitch and even sharing laughs with Fortis. No objections. No distance rules.
And it didn’t stop there.
Stokes, Root, and Pope Walk Freely on the Pitch
On the eve of the Test, England captain Ben Stokes, along with Joe Root and Ollie Pope, were spotted not only standing on the pitch but also doing shadow batting drills—some appearing to wear rubber spikes. All under the seemingly approving watch of the same curator who restricted India a day earlier.
The footage and photos spread like wildfire online, prompting fans and experts alike to question: Why two sets of rules?
Social Media Reacts: Double Standards or Colonial Echoes?
The backlash was swift and sharp. While Gambhir was called out for simply doing his job, the visuals of the England team casually walking on the pitch drew little to no attention from the authorities.
The contrast in treatment has sparked accusations of bias and favoritism, with many calling it a throwback to colonial-era double standards.
“Are the rules different depending on which team you’re from?” one fan tweeted.
“The disrespect is blatant,” said another.
A Series Finale Overshadowed
With the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy hanging in the balance, India looking to level the series, and cricket fans expecting fireworks on the field, this controversy has cast a shadow over what should have been a celebration of great Test cricket.
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