"I Don’t Know Why Gambhir Was Upset": Sourav Ganguly on Pitch Drama at The Oval

London(England)[United Kingdom], July 31: Sourav Ganguly has finally reacted to the pitch inspection drama at The Oval. During practice for the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, Gambhir and Kotak were stopped from closely checking the pitch by the ground curator, Fortis. The coach’s reaction, finger-pointing and strong words, sparked headlines. Speaking in Kolkata, Ganguly expressed confusion over the outburst. He said such talks with groundsmen happen in every era, including his own. His message was clear: “let’s not make too much out of it.”

Gambhir’s Tense Face-Off with The Oval Groundsman

The issue started when Gambhir and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak walked too close to the pitch during a practice session. Surrey’s head groundsman Lee Fortis stopped them, citing risk of surface damage and asked them to keep a distance of 2.5 metres. This led to a sharp exchange, where Gambhir reportedly got agitated and said Fortis was “just a groundsman.” Fortis, in turn, threatened to report the incident to the match referee. A video of the tense scene later went viral. It raised eyebrows just before a crucial Test.

Ganguly Urges Focus on Cricket & Not on Controversy

Former Indian skipper Ganguly, known for handling pressure calmly, advised everyone to move on. He shared that discussions with curators are nothing new and happen often in international cricket. Ganguly believes this shouldn’t take focus away from the game itself. He hopes India plays good cricket and levels the series. His view was simple—these pitch discussions are part of the sport, not something to be exaggerated. His balanced reaction contrasts sharply with Gambhir’s frustration over the moment.

Also Read: Shubman Gill and Gautam Gambhir Reflect on Karun Nair’s Struggles: Will India Make a Change for Manchester Test?

Batting Coach Kotak Calls It “Awkward,” Not Aggressive

Sitanshu Kotak also gave his version after the incident. He said it felt “awkward” when coaches in joggers were told to step back from the pitch. According to him, nobody wore spikes, and they were simply observing the surface ahead of the big match. He avoided any blame game but felt that curators should understand they’re dealing with professionals. He stressed that they respect ground rules but felt the reaction was unnecessary, especially when no harm was being done to the field.

When Emotions Run High Before a Big Test Match

Cricket fans are no strangers to tension before a big Test. With the final match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series around the corner, emotions were high. Gambhir’s strong reaction shows the pressure coaches carry. But Ganguly’s remarks remind fans that maturity and patience matter just as much. The pitch is important, but keeping calm under pressure is what shapes legends. The Indian team now moves forward with a hope to perform well, even as this off-field drama slowly fades.