Former India wicket‑keeper Parthiv Patel has come out in strong support of head coach Gautam Gambhir after his heated altercation with The Oval’s chief curator, Lee Fortis, ahead of the fifth and deciding Test between India and England. Patel stated that Gambhir “had every right of losing it” when the curator attempted to restrict the Indian staff during a routine pitch inspection.
The dispute arose during India’s training session when Fortis instructed the support staff to maintain a 2.5‑metre distance from the wicket and reportedly objected to equipment being brought near the square. Witnesses said Gambhir challenged the restriction, leading to a verbal exchange in which he emphasized the coach’s right to assess the surface freely. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak later described the situation as “awkward,” noting that the players were not wearing spikes and were well aware of maintaining the pitch’s integrity.
Patel defended Gambhir’s stance, arguing that a head coach must have unrestricted access to the wicket as part of his role in strategizing for a crucial Test. “As a curator, you can’t go and ask the head coach not to inspect the pitch. That’s his job. If a head coach won’t inspect the pitch before a match, then who will?” Patel said, stressing that such interference overstepped the curator’s responsibilities.
The incident has sparked broader debate about procedural fairness and consistency. Indian players and pundits highlighted that similar restrictions were not imposed on England’s staff, calling the approach “double standards.” Patel echoed these sentiments, hinting at a pattern of what he called “entitled behaviour” in how visiting teams are occasionally treated during overseas tours.
Gambhir’s fiery response also drew attention to his leadership style, known for its intensity and protective stance towards his players. Reports suggest he told Fortis that the curator’s role did not extend to dictating team protocols, underlining the autonomy of the coaching staff in match preparations. The confrontation has since gone viral, with images and accounts from the training ground fueling discussions across social media and cricket forums.
India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin hinted the clash could serve as motivation for the squad, remarking that the team becomes “a different beast” when faced with pressure and perceived unfairness. With the series poised at 2–1 in England’s favour, emotions are already running high, and the off‑field drama has only added to the intensity of the build‑up to the decider at The Oval.
Patel also used the moment to express confidence in the Indian camp, praising their ability to thrive under adversity. He highlighted the importance of focusing on the cricketing challenge ahead while reinforcing that Gambhir’s actions were in line with protecting his team’s interests.
As the final Test approaches, the pitch inspection row has added an extra layer of narrative to what was already a high‑stakes encounter. For Patel, the takeaway is clear: Gambhir’s reaction was not over the top, but rather the response of a coach defending his players’ right to prepare for one of the most crucial matches of the series.