A strange controversy happened before the IND vs ENG 5th Test match. Shubman Gill supports Gautam Gambhir after something weird occurred at The Oval ground. The Indian captain felt very confused about this unusual situation.
The Oval’s groundsman, Lee Fortis, stopped coach Gambhir from checking the cricket pitch. This never happened to the Indian team before in any cricket match. Gill thought this behavior was quite unfair and totally unnecessary.
Captain Gill told reporters he felt really surprised by Fortis’s strange actions. He said coaches and captains always check pitches before important matches. This helps them plan their team strategy much better for games.
Why Gill Defended His Coach
Shubman Gill supports Gautam Gambhir because every coach deserves this basic right completely. Gill explained that understanding pitch conditions helps captains make smart decisions. He never saw anyone stop coaches from doing their normal job.
“It’s not the first time we were having a look at the pitch. We have been here for almost two months, and like I said, a coach has every right to be able to go and have a look at the pitch from close quarters,” Gill said.
“I didn’t think that there was anything wrong with that. I actually don’t know why the curator would not allow us to go and have a look at the pitch.”
The Indian captain played many cricket matches around the world before. He said groundsmen usually welcome coaches and captains to inspect playing surfaces. The Oval Pitch Controversy made him feel very uncomfortable and puzzled.
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Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak also defended Gambhir during this awkward situation. Kotak mentioned that Fortis sometimes creates problems for visiting cricket teams. This behavior makes coaches feel unwelcome at The Oval ground.
“Before coming to The Oval, most of the team knew that the curator is not the easiest person to get on with. So that gives lots of answers,” Kotak said.
Team Relations Stay Strong
Despite the Oval Pitch Controversy, both teams maintain a good friendship off the field. Gill said competitive moments sometimes create small arguments between passionate players. These little fights don’t damage the overall respect between cricket teams.
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The IND vs ENG 5th Test created many exciting moments for fans. Gill believes heated exchanges happen naturally when players fight for victories. He downplayed any serious problems between the Indian and English cricket teams.
Shubman Gill supports Gautam Gambhir and thinks this incident won’t affect future matches. Both countries respect each other despite some competitive tension during games.
