India call Oval groundsman ‘arrogant' after heated row with head coach
Gambhir shouted 'you can't tell us what to do' at the Surrey groundsman Lee Fortis as tensions continued to flare during India's Test series against England.
Gambhir was seen confronting head of ground staff Fortis at about 10.30am on Tuesday (UK time) on the outfield at the Oval. The former India batter also repeatedly wagged his finger in Fortis' face, and was heard to say: 'You're just a groundsman, nothing beyond that.'
The London Telegraph understands that the altercation was essentially about respecting the square at the Oval.
Fortis, who has won groundsman of the year for the past three years, is believed to have asked Gambhir to ensure that none of India's players or coaches – including Gambhir himself – encroached upon the area, or any of the squad's kit.
Groundstaff at the Oval have had an intensive workload this summer, hosting about 60 days of live cricket.
Fortis subsequently threatened to lodge a complaint against Gambhir. In response, Gambhir reportedly shouted back, 'You can go and report to whoever you want, but you can't tell us what to do.'
The pair were eventually separated by Sitanshu Kotak, India's batting coach, and other members of the Indian support staff.
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