The fifth and final Test of ENG vs IND 2025 will be played at The Oval. With two days remaining before the start of play, both teams have begun their preparations. The Indian squad was seen training, and the head coach Gautam Gambhir was involved in a verbal spat with the pitch curator.
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Previously, the fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy in Manchester concluded two nights ago, with India securing a draw to salvage the match after trailing 2-1 in the series.
The India head coach and the ground’s chief curator argued over the pitch conditions.
As per a Times of India report by Sahil Malhotra, Gambhir was heard saying, “You don’t tell us what to do.”
Watch the video here:
Team India arrived in London on Monday and were scheduled to hold their first training session on Tuesday. However, tensions quickly surfaced as the head coach was unhappy with the ground facilities.
What began as a disagreement soon escalated into a heated altercation, with an irate Gambhir seen gesturing angrily at the ground staff and pointing fingers. The situation grew tense before batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and other members had to step in to defuse it.
According to the same report, The Oval’s ground staff may file a formal complaint against the India head coach.
Gambhir’s harsh words were in response to the formal report.
Later, during the press conference, Kotak addressed the incident.
He said, “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. Its a pitch, not antique.”
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Curator to Gambhir: Don’t swear again, don’t swear again, or I’ll report you to the match referee.
Gambhir to Curator: Go report. Go do whatever you want to do. Go f*** o** now.
(Gambhir and Kotak in an inaudible conversation)
Gambhir to Kotak: Tell this a**, tell him to f*** o** report it to the match referee. Don’t f***ing get into a discussion with him.
(Curator inaudible)
Gambhir: You stop it. Don’t tell us what we need to do. (x3)
(Curator inaudible)
Gambhir: Ok, you don’t tell any of us what we need to do. You don’t have any right to tell us, ok? You are just a groundsman, so just stay in your capacity. You are just a groundsman, nothing beyond that. Just a groundsman.
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