India captain Shubman Gill firmly backed head coach Gautam Gambhir after a heated exchange between Gambhir and The Oval’s chief curator Lee Fortis during the team’s training session on Tuesday, saying the coach has “every right to look at the wicket.”
During the session, Fortis reportedly asked the Indian support staff to stay at least 2.5 metres away from the main pitch square — a move that frustrated the visiting camp, especially since players were either barefoot or wearing rubber-spiked shoes, which is common practice.
The incident escalated when Gambhir was heard telling the curator: "You don’t tell any of us what we need to do… you have no right to tell us. You are just a groundsman, nothing beyond.”
Gill: Unnecessary Drama
Speaking on the eve of the fifth and final Test of the England series, Gill described the confrontation as unwarranted. “What happened yesterday was unnecessary,” he said. “Coach has every right to look at the wicket. Don’t understand why the curator wouldn’t allow that. As long as you are wearing rubber spikes or are barefoot, it should not be a problem... Don’t know why he said no. There was no such issue in the last four games.”
Gill’s remarks were reinforced by the fact that, on the same day, several English players — including senior batter Joe Root and stand-in skipper Ollie Pope — were seen standing on the main pitch doing shadow batting, seemingly without objection from the ground staff.
The controversy adds another layer to what has already been a tightly-contested and emotionally-charged series, which England currently lead 2-1. The final Test at The Oval, starting Thursday, offers India the chance to level the five-match series.
Gill On Tight Schedule
Beyond the off-field flare-up, Gill addressed several other pressing issues, including concerns over the tight scheduling of the series. After a week-long break between the first and third Tests, teams were given just three days between the remaining fixtures, with bowlers from both sides visibly fatigued.
“Three days is too less of a turnaround when both the teams are playing such hard cricket,” Gill said. “We understand that if you keep giving five or six days after every match, the tour becomes very long. So, yes, it is something that I think the decision has been taken by the boards.”
He noted that the physical toll has been significant, especially with all four Tests so far going deep into the final day.
“One of the most important things in the series has been that all the matches have gone up till five days. And not just five days, the last session of the fifth day. I can’t remember a series where all four Test matches went till that last moment. So, it is definitely hard.”
The schedule has already claimed casualties. England captain Ben Stokes was ruled out of the final Test due to a right shoulder muscle tear, while India have also had to manage injuries to key pacers.
Will Jasprit Bumrah Play?
Gill confirmed that a decision on Jasprit Bumrah’s inclusion will be made on the morning of the match. “We will take a decision tomorrow,” he said. “Wicket looks very green. So let’s see.”
If Bumrah is rested again, left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh may be handed his debut. “He has been told to be prepared,” Gill said. “We will take a call on the final XI after assessing the pitch later today.”
India are also backing their spin department, despite England not picking a frontline spinner for The Oval Test. “We are confident in Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar to handle spin duties effectively,” Gill said.
Looking back at the series, Gill acknowledged the intensity and fine margins throughout. “After four days, it was often hard to predict a winner,” he said. “Every match has been very close. It’s been a good learning experience for us and we are hopeful of finishing on a high.”
While the series has had its share of heated moments — including Gill’s spat with Zak Crawley at Lord’s and Ravindra Jadeja’s refusal to halt play at Old Trafford — the Indian skipper stressed that relations between the two sides remain respectful.
“The relationship is fantastic,” he said. “When you’re on the field, you’re trying to win; both teams have been very competitive and sometimes in the heat of the moment things happen. But once the match is over, there is mutual respect, so there are no regrets for anything that has happened on the field.”
