We’ve all seen that video. Gautam Gambhir in a heated exchange with the Oval pitch curator. Voices raised, fingers pointed, and tension thick enough to cut with a stump mic. But the bigger question is: Who is Lee Fortis, the man at the centre of this turf war?
Turns out, Fortis isn’t just any groundsman. He’s a curator with a flair for drama and not for the first time. You might be surprised to know that he was involved in a similar episode during an Indian women’s team match, where pitch protocol turned into prime-time controversy. Clearly, Fortis doesn’t just roll out pitches; he rolls out red carpets of arrogance, especially when the visitors are from India.
Now look at this image doing the rounds on social media: England’s head coach Brendon McCullum and managing director, Rob Key, casually inspecting the pitch, strolling around like it’s their private garden. They were allowed to walk right up, no questions asked.
But when Gautam Gambhir and Indian batting coach Sitanshu Kotak came to check the same surface? Suddenly, there were rules. Fortis allegedly asked them to maintain a distance of 2.5 meters from the pitch. Yes, nearly 8 feet. Because apparently, India’s coaching staff can damage turf just by breathing too close to it.
If hypocrisy had a face, this would be it.
While Gambhir may have shown visible displeasure, it was Sitanshu Kotak who delivered the most cutting blow, with calm precision.
“I think just looking at the wicket, with a rubber spike, a day before a Test match, there’s nothing wrong. Curators also need to understand that the people they are talking to are highly skilled and intelligent. You can be protective, but end of the day—it’s a cricket pitch. It’s not an antique where you can’t touch it because it’ll break. It’s not 200 years old.”
Subtle, firm, and pointed—a masterclass in polite takedowns.
And here’s the kicker. This isn’t even the first time. Back in 2023, just 48 hours before a Test at The Oval, Fortis and McCullum were spotted on the pitch like old friends catching up over tea. No restrictions. No distance rules. No accusations of pitch tampering.
So what’s changed? Why the sudden territorial policing?
It’s important to note: pitch inspection isn’t a breach of protocol. At every major ground—be it Manchester, Lord’s, or Edgbaston—visiting teams, including India, have always been allowed access. It’s part of the pre-match routine, not a criminal offence.
So this begs the question: Was this just an overreaction from Fortis? Or is it symptomatic of something deeper—an uncomfortable truth that India, with their commanding performances, have unsettled the hosts in their own backyard?
Because when a curator turns into a gatekeeper only when India comes knocking, it’s not just about soil and grass anymore. It’s about ego, insecurity, and the inability to handle the heat when the visitors start calling the shots.
