India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak explains what happened between Gautam Gambhir and The Oval pitch curator

Overview

• Gautam Gambhir and the Oval's Pitch Curator had a heated exchange before the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025
• Sitanshu Kotak explained what happened between the duo in the Press Conference
• The Indian Batting Coach said the Oval's Pitch Curator was at the wrong

Sitanshu Kotak was in the press conference after India's practice session on the 29th of July 2025, at The Oval, before the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025. The Indian Batting Coach was asked his opinion on the heated conversation between Gautam Gambhir and Lee Fortis, the Oval's Pitch Curator, earlier in the day.

Kotak claimed that the curator yelled at the support staff members who were getting the ice box, which was objected by the Indian Head Coach. He added that Fortis is known for his behavior and confirmed that India will not lodge any official complaint due to the incident which occurred.

Also Read: Gautam Gambhir grills The Oval curator with heated conversation

"The curator yelled at the support staff when they were getting the ice box. Gambhir objected to that. The way he spoke irked Gambhir. Everyone knows the curator at The Oval is not the easiest person to deal with. India will not lodge any official complaint," Sitanshu Kotak said in the press conference.

"The ground is not damaged, it's a pitch, not an antique," - Sitanshu Kotak

He further added that Fortis asked the individuals from the Indian team and the coaching staff members to stay away about 2.5 meters away from the pitch. He claimed that everyone was wearing joggers and it was odd they were asked to stay away from the pitch, especially when there were rubber spikes on the wicket.

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"When we were looking at the pitch, they asked us to stand 2.5m away. We were wearing joggers. It was very odd. Looking at the wicket with rubber spikes - nothing wrong. We see the ground is not damaged. It's a pitch, not an antique," Sitanshu added in his statement.

When asked to give his side of the story by the media, Fortis said he had nothing to tell and asked the reporters to enquire with Gambhir as to what transpired between them.