On Tuesday, India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, had a heated discussion with Lee Fortis, the Oval’s chief curator. Gambhir was heard telling Fortis, while pointing at the ground staff, You don’t tell us what we need to do.

This incident occurred as the Indian team prepared for the fifth and final Test against England, starting Thursday at the Oval. The team arrived shortly after their comeback to draw the fourth match in Manchester.

Sitanshu Kotak, India’s batting coach, stated that the disagreement started when the team was asked to stand 2.5 meters from the wicket. He clarified that the Indian team will not file a complaint.

A member of the ground staff told us to stand 2.5 meters from the wicket and view it from outside the rope. I’ve never seen anything like it, Kotak told the media. No complaint will be made.

Kotak added that the players were wearing joggers, not spikes, so there was no risk of damaging the field. We knew before this game that the curator is not the easiest to work with. Being protective is fine, but this was excessive. We were wearing joggers, not spikes, so there was no risk, he said.

Videos circulating on social media showed Gambhir in a verbal argument with the curator, prompting Kotak to step in and calm the situation.

The disagreement began when Fortis said to Gambhir, I will have to report this. Gambhir responded sharply, Go report whatever you want. After that, Kotak took Fortis aside and said, We won’t damage anything. Other members of the Indian support staff, including bowling coach Morne Morkel and assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate, observed the discussion.

While the exact reason for the argument remains unclear, it appeared that Gambhir and Fortis were arguing about the practice pitch conditions.

Gambhir turned back to Fortis and stated that he should not tell the team what to do, saying, You can’t tell us what to do. You’re just a groundsman.

Afterward, Fortis and Gambhir parted ways, and the India coach went back to oversee the net session.

Later, as he walked from the field, Fortis commented, It’s a big game, and he’s a bit touchy. Sai Sudharsan, who scored a half-century and a duck in the Manchester Test, was the first to arrive for practice. Left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav was also seen training hard, and left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh bowled under Morkel’s supervision.