‘Go f*** off’: Cricket rocked by fiery exchange involving Indian coach

Tensions between India and England have exploded with Indian coach Gautam Gambhir involved in a heated exchange.

Tensions between India and England have exploded again with Indian coach Gautam Gambhir involved in a heated exchange at The Oval ahead of the Fifth Test, beginning Thursday.

As shown in a series of viral videos shared on social media, Gambhir and Lee Fortis, Surrey’s chief groundsman, clashed in angry fashion on the eve of the series decider.

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In a series that has been spiteful from the outset, the latest heated moment between the Indian mentor and the Oval’s head pitch curator has angered millions in India.

During a final training session at the London venue, Test veteran Gambhir was caught on camera wagging his finger as Fortis towered over him, repeatedly stating: “You can’t tell us what to do” and “You don’t tell any of us what to do”.

The confrontation between Indian coach Gautam Gambhir and The Oval's curator turned nasty.

Gambhir can also be heard adding: “You’re just the groundsman, nothing beyond.”

The video shows Fortis replied: “Don’t swear again or I have to report you to the match referee”.

Fortis is understood to have been keeping a protective eye on the playing area during India’s practice, with plenty of cricket still to be played on it this season.

After walking away in conversation with India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, who appeared to take on the role of mediator, Fortis told Gambhir he may be forced to lodge a complaint against him, drawing a response of: “You can go and report to whoever you want, go f*** off”.

“You don’t tell us what we need to do.”

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It is unclear whether India have concerns over the pitch, which is expected to provide greater pace and bounce than has been seen in the previous four matches, potentially favouring England’s quick bowlers.

The home team’s attack has struggled for penetration at times, including in India’s second innings at Old Trafford, where the bowlers took just four wickets in 143 overs as the fourth Test ended in a draw on Sunday.

Kotak eventually fronted reporters to explain the drama.

The spat between Indian coach Gautam Gambhir and The Oval's curator.

The coach continued to share his thoughts. Photo: X and @JeetN25.

“When we were looking at pitch, they asked us to stand 2.5m away. We were wearing joggers. It was very odd. Looking at wicket with rubber spike, nothing wrong. We see ground is not damaged. It’s a pitch, not antique,” he told reporters.

“Curator yelled at support staff when they were getting ice box. Gambhir objected at that. The way he spoke irked Gambhir. Everyone knows curator at The Oval is not the easiest person to deal with.”

He said India would make no formal complaint about the incident.

Fortis also fronted reporters and said it is not his job to know if Gambhir is happy with the pitch or not.

The photo of Brendon McCullum that has angered many. Photo: X.

“You saw what he was like this morning. He’s a bit touchy,” he told reporters.

“There’s no side of the story. You’ll have to ask him that,” he added.

It has not gone down well that a photo has emerged of England coach Brendon McCullum standing on the pitch with Fortis.

The series has become increasingly heated, with the tourists refusing to shake hands on a draw early in Manchester to allow Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja to reach centuries, a decision that angered England.

India captain Shubman Gill accused England of ignoring the “spirit of cricket” with time-wasting tactics in the third Test at Lord’s, where India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was fined for the aggressive “send-off” he gave to Ben Duckett.

England are expected to make changes after the draw in Manchester, particularly to their bowling line-up, with just three days’ rest between matches.

India is desperate to win the final Test to salvage a 2-2 series draw.

— with AFP

Originally published as ‘Go f*** off’: Cricket rocked by fiery exchange involving Indian coach