The dramatic incident involving India head coach Gautam Gambhir with Lee Fortis, who is one of the grounds persons at the Oval, London prior to the fifth Test between England and India has been making headlines in the media since then. In a video that had emerged on the social media, Gambhir was noticed admonishing the groundsman for not allowing him to remain close to the pitch, where the match will be staged. Ex-India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has joined hands with his ex-partner, stating that Gambhir was well within his rights to walk and stand close to the 22-yards. In fact, Pathan has criticized the groundsman for even considering doing what he did a few days before the match, whereas English players were being given freedom to move on the pitch, as noticed on the photographs on the internet. Here is what Pathan said on his YouTube channel: “This curator has a history of being rude. There are several instances of him being behaving in such a way with overseas teams’ captains and coaches. This isn’t the first time. The process of Gambhir being villainized has been going on in the media for a long time now.” Pathan said on his YouTube channel Also Read: Australia creates record with 5-0 win in T20I series against West Indies Observing the photographs of English players and coaching staff stand on the pitch before the game, the Baroda-born was amazed at how only Indian team could not be allowed near. Pathan also feels that Gambhir had to approach the pitch close to gauge the hardness of the surface, and whether the pitch is dry or full of moisture, and that this could directly affect the playing combination for the match on July 31. “We end up laying the red carpet for the visiting teams in India. When we go overseas, we follow the rules, and it’s something nobody should have a problem with. There’s a photo on Twitter of the same curator standing with Brendon McCullum (England coach) on the same pitch two days before a match. Gambhir also went two days before. How can you then deny him? England’s coach is allowed, but not Indian. It feels we are still living in the 1947 era. I cannot accept this (double-standard). If you don't get to inspect the pitch, how will you plan for the game? You have to get a feel of the pitch by touching it – how hard it is, is there moisture in it? You can’t have that by staring from 2.5 meters. This was an unnecessary controversy,” he added. England Miss Key Players as Ollie Pope Takes Charge for Series Decider The next match will witness England going into the match without the services of their regular skipper Ben Stokes and pace spearhead Jofra Archer. Other than the two, the hosts have brought in two more changes, which has effectively reorganized their bowling lineup for the series-deciding final match. Ollie Pope will be leading the team for this match.