Curator Lee Fortis Responds After Heated Exchange with Gautam Gambhir at The Oval

Curator Lee Fortis has finally spoken up following a much-publicised confrontation with India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir at The Oval last month. The incident, which saw Gambhir aggressively lash out at Fortis just days before the fifth and final Test, had drawn widespread attention, but Fortis had remained silent until now.

Fortis, who was overseeing pitch preparations for the final match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, faced harsh words from Gambhir, including being labelled “just a groundsman.” The footage of the argument, in which Fortis warned Gambhir to stop swearing or face a report, went viral across social media platforms.

Now, curator Lee Fortis has broken his silence, suggesting that the narrative around the confrontation painted him unfairly. “Well, I was never the villain; I was made into one,” he said in a statement after the match. His comments come amid praise for the pitch conditions at The Oval, which delivered a tight contest as India secured a six-run victory to level the series 2-2.

‘Just a Groundsman’: The Remark That Sparked Debate

In the viral clip, Gambhir is seen telling Fortis, “You are just a groundsman, stay in your capacity. Nothing beyond.” The statement drew strong backlash from fans, commentators, and even former cricketers who called for more respect towards ground staff. Curator Lee Fortis maintained a professional stance during the incident and now, in hindsight, has stressed that his focus was always on delivering a balanced pitch.

“It was one of the best surfaces of the series. I hope people enjoyed the show,” he added, subtly turning attention back to the cricket and away from the drama.

Gambhir’s Familiar Temperament in Spotlight Again

This is not the first time Gautam Gambhir has been caught in the heat of a verbal clash. From altercations with Shahid Afridi to animated spats with Virat Kohli, and even his confrontational exit as LSG mentor, Gambhir’s history of on-field and off-field aggression continues to shadow his cricketing profile.

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