Former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has called out The Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis for alleged hypocrisy following a recent controversy involving Indiaโs head coach Gautam Gambhir. The issue arose ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 when Gambhir got into a heated exchange with Fortis during a practice session.
Old Photo Sparks Controversy Over Unequal Treatment
Chopra took to social media to share an old photo from the 2023 Ashes series showing Fortis standing on the Oval pitch alongside England head coach Brendon McCullum, just two days before a match.
“๐ซ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐?” ๐ช๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ฟ (๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ป๐๐๐๐๐๐). “2023, ๐จ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐. 48 ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐ฉ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ด๐๐ช๐๐๐๐๐.”
The ex-opener accused the curator of hypocrisy for preventing Gambhir and the Indian playersโwho were wearing rubber spikesโfrom approaching the pitch, yet allowing McCullum similar access previously.
Gambhir’s Reaction and Heated Argument
Gambhir was visibly upset when Fortis interrupted Indiaโs training session. In a now-viral video, the Indian head coach can be heard firmly confronting the groundsman.
“๐๐๐’๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐, ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ . ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐,” ๐ฎ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ . “๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐โ๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐ ๐.”
Chopra defended Gambhir’s actions, stating that the coachโs reaction was valid under the circumstances and accused Fortis of displaying a clear double standard in his approach.
Series Overview: India Fighting to Level the Score
The Test series currently stands at 2-1 in favor of England. The hosts took the first and third Tests by five wickets and 22 runs respectively. Indiaโs only win came at Edgbaston, a dominant 336-run victory powered by Shubman Gillโs incredible 430-run match performance and Akash Deepโs 10-wicket haul (10/187).
In the fourth Test at Old Trafford, India showed strong resilience with the bat in the second innings, resulting in a hard-earned draw. With the series still open, the final Test promises high stakes and tension, especially amid the off-field drama involving the pitch controversy.
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