'It becomes a different beast': R Ashwin on Indian team after Gambhir's altercation with The Oval curator
A heated confrontation erupted at The Oval between India's head coach
Gautam Gambhir
and chief curator Lee Fortis during the team's final preparations for the fifth Test. The dispute began when Fortis asked India's support staff to maintain distance from the pitch, leading to an angry exchange that saw Gambhir berating the curator.
This incident occurred during Tuesday's training session, adding tension to the team's preparation.
The situation escalated when Fortis requested the Indian support staff to stay 2.5 meters away from the playing surface. Gambhir's sharp response included telling Fortis, "You don't tell any of us what we need to do, you have no right to tell us, you are just a groundsman, nothing beyond." Fortis responded by threatening to report the incident.
IND vs ENG: Gautam Gambhir loses cool during heated exchange with ground staff at The Oval ahead of 5th Test
Former Indian spinner
Ravichandran Ashwin
offered a unique perspective on the confrontation. He compared it to the Sydney Test match atmosphere and suggested that such tensions might actually boost team morale in the away camp.
"When adversity is against the Indian team, somebody will rise up. When we are pushed against the wall, the Indian team becomes a different kettle of fish. It becomes a different beast," Ashwin remarked, suggesting that the recent tensions, including the dispute, might work in India's favour.
Ashwin further cautioned that England's actions might have inadvertently motivated the Indian team, noting that such confrontations often bring out the best in Indian cricket.
Ashwin concluded by suggesting that while good cricket from England could still determine the outcome, provoking the Indian team might not have been the wisest strategy, saying "somehow I feel this is not the way it has to be triggered."
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