"I Was Never the Villain": Oval Curator Breaks Silence on Gambhir Controversy After ENG vs IND 5th Test Drama

The Oval pitch curator, Lee Fortis, has defended himself after a controversy involving India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, during the fifth Test. Fortis said he was made to look like a villain just because he was protective about the main pitch area. He even compared the exciting Test match to the IPL, as it lasted nearly five full days.

A few days before the Oval Test, Gautam Gambhir was seen having a heated argument with the Oval’s head curator, Lee Fortis. It was not a pleasant scene, as Gambhir was seen shouting at Fortis over a small matter.

In the same video, Gambhir was also heard saying, “You are just a groundsman” to Fortis. This clip went viral on social media and got strong reactions. Later in the video, Fortis was seen warning Gambhir to stop using bad language or he would be reported.

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India Wins Thriller, But Tension Off the Field

India won the final Test by six runs in a thrilling finish, tying the series 2-2. After the match, Oval pitch curator Lee Fortis spoke about the controversy with Gautam Gambhir. He told PTI/NDTV:

“Well, I was never the villain; I was made into one. Hope you guys enjoyed the show, and the atmosphere was like the IPL. It was a great game.”

The incident happened when Indian coaches were told to stay 2.5 metres away from the pitch. This didn’t go well with the Indian team. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak shared in a press conference (via Indian Express):

“When we went to see the pitch, we were asked to keep a 2.5-metre distance. This was surprising. The Test was just a few days away, and we were wearing joggers. So it felt a bit odd.”

He added, “We all have played enough cricket. Curators are usually protective of the ground, but they should understand that they are speaking to skilled and experienced people.”

Fortis Stays Focused Despite Drama

During the heated exchange, Gambhir called Fortis “just a groundsman,” which upset the Indian camp. Fortis didn’t say much at the time but called Gambhir “tetchy” before the big match.

Fortis, who has won the ECB Curator of the Year award three times in a row, is known for being dedicated to his work. Soon after Siraj bowled Gus Atkinson to seal the win for India, Fortis was already back near the main pitch, preparing for The Hundred games starting August 9.

Even after the crowd had left the stadium, Fortis continued his work calmly. His actions, like driving the heavy roller before play, caught the eye of the Indian media. Locals describe the 7-foot-tall Fortis as an “interesting” person who takes his job very seriously.