Categories: Cricket

Irfan Pathan Slams Double Standards After Gambhir’s Spat With Oval Groundsman

Former cricketer Irfan Pathan has spoken out about the heated exchange between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Oval groundsman Lee Fortis during the team’s optional practice session on Tuesday.

What Sparked the Gautam Gambhir, Fortis Argument at The Oval?

The clash reportedly started when Fortis objected to a cooler being brought onto the pitch, according to India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Things escalated when Fortis raised his voice at some members of the Indian support staff, prompting Gambhir to react strongly.

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Since the incident, photos of Fortis standing on the pitch with England head coach Brendon McCullum have gone viral, stirring debate online.

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Irfan Pathan Defends Gambhir, Questions Double Standards

Weighing in, Irfan Pathan questioned the apparent double standards. “So an English coach can walk onto the pitch to inspect it? But an Indian coach can’t? Are we still stuck in the colonial era?” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Check out the Tweet:

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“This Isn’t the First Time”: Pathan on Groundsman’s Past Behaviour

Irfan Pathan also mentioned that Gautam Gambhir was wearing rubber-spiked shoes while checking the pitch. He explained that rubber spikes don’t harm the surface, unlike steel spikes. He said:

“This curator has a history of being rude,” Pathan said. “There are several instances of him being behaving in such a way with overseas teams’ captains and coaches. This isn’t the first time. The process of Gambhir being villainised has been going on in the media for a long time now.”

“We end up laying red carpet for the visiting teams in India. When we go overseas, we follow the rules and it’s something nobody should have a problem with. There’s a photo on Twitter of the same curator standing with Brendon McCullum (England coach) on the same pitch two days before a match. Gambhir also went two days before. How can you then deny him? England’s coach is allowed but not Indian. It feels we are still living in the 1947 era. I cannot accept this (double-standard).”

“If you won’t get to inspect the pitch, how will you plan for the game? You have to get a feel of the pitch by touching it – how hard it is, is there moisture in it? You can’t have that by staring from 2.5 meters. This was an unnecessary controversy,” he added.

Sitanshu Kotak Steps In as Mediator During Heated Exchange

Gambhir, a former India opener with 58 Test matches under his belt, was seen visibly upset, telling Fortis: “You can’t tell us what to do” and “You don’t tell any of us what to do.” He reportedly added, “You’re just the groundsman, nothing beyond.”

As the conversation continued, Sitanshu Kotak stepped in to calm things down. Fortis then warned that he might file a complaint against Gambhir, to which the coach replied, “You can go and report to whoever you want.”

Speaking later, Kotak said, “At the end of the day, it is a cricket pitch. It’s not an antique where you can’t touch it.”

Tensions between India and England have been mostly under control this series, though there have been moments of friction, like the time-wasting controversy involving Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett during the third Test at Lord’s. Things also got tense at the end of the fourth Test, when England captain Ben Stokes was visibly annoyed after Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar declined his offer of an early handshake, both trying to reach personal milestones.

ALSO READ: ENG vs IND: Jasprit Bumrah Ruled Out Of 5th Test After BCCI Medical Team’s Advice

Unnati Madan

Unnati is a passionate cricket writer with a deep love and understanding of the game. As a female cricket writer, she brings a unique perspective to the sport, having had to overcome various challenges to pursue her passion for cricket. Growing up, Unnati developed a love for cricket by watching matches with her family. She was always fascinated by the way the game was played, and would often spend hours reading about cricket, analyzing matches, and learning more about the sport. However, as a female in a male-dominated industry, she faced numerous obstacles to pursue her passion for cricket writing. Despite this, Unnati persevered and became an accomplished writer in the field. Unnati’s writing style is engaging and insightful, with a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the nuances of the game. Her articles are known for their depth of analysis, and she is often sought after for her strong opinions on the sport. Unnati has a unique ability to break down complex ideas and make them accessible to a wide audience, which has helped her build a large following of readers.