Shubman Gill said Oval curator Lee Fortis was out of line in asking India's support staff to observe the pitch from a distance two days out from the fifth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The India captain was responding to questions about Tuesday's flashpoint between Fortis and head coach Gautam Gambhir, with the latter's animated and expletive-fuelled response souring the build up to the series finale.
INDIA TOUR OF ENGLAND, 2025
"Absolutely unnecessary" - Gill slams Oval pitch restriction
Shubman Gill said Oval curator Lee Fortis was out of line in asking India's support staff to observe the pitch from a distance © Getty
The India captain had not turned up for practice two days out from the game when the said blow-up took place but was present on Wednesday (July 30) - the eve of the match - to assess and study the match wicket. The same luxury had been accorded to the England team as well when they trained in the morning after opting to rest yesterday.
As assistant coach Sitanshu Kotak
