The build-up to the fifth Test between England and India at the Kennington Oval was marred by a fiery heated clash between India's head coach Gautam Gambhir and the head groundsman of the Oval, Lee Fortis. This occurred in the buildup to the July 31 match and has already gained much attention. Gambhir was reportedly dissatisfied with the arrangements made for Team India at the stadium. His conversation with Fortis became a heated one, with video going viral on social media. Gambhir is heard, in the clip, saying, "You don't tell us what to do." Fortis Calls Gambhir a 'Touchy Guy' but Remains Silent About Details Talking to the media after the altercation, Fortis called Gambhir a "touchy guy" but refrained from revealing the specific reason behind the fight. "I don't want to say anything. It's quite a big game coming up, isn't it," Fortis replied when pressed for comment about the row. He was asked if he was content with Gambhir and he said, "But are you happy with Gautam Gambhir?" asked the reporter. "Am I happy? It's not my job to be happy or not with it." Watch the video here: 🚨BREAKING: The Oval Ground Staff, Lee Fortis tries to play down the spat and says,”Gambhir is a touchy guy.”@debasissen @ThumsUpOfficial #ENGvsIND #GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/pFMif7SIUH — RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) July 29, 2025 Also Read | Gambhir Argues with Oval Curator Before Final Test However, when asked about the same to India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, he said that the groundstaff asked the India's coaching staff to stay 2.5m away from the pitch and this is what made Gautam Gambhir angry. During a presser, Sitanshu said: “When we were having a look at the wicket, they had sent a man to send a message for us to stay 2.5m away from the pitch. We were wearing joggers." He added: “We know curators are possessive about the square. What he (head groundsman) said about the head coach is his opinion and I don’t want to comment. We did nothing wrong." Kotak said: “People (Indian coaching staff) are highly skilled and intelligent. None of the bowlers were even wearing spikes. You can be protective about the square but not arrogant. It is not an antique that you can’t touch. He said we are trying to grow the grass but we were wearing joggers so we didn’t see the problem." India's batting coach added: “”He yelled at the Indian support staff when they were getting ice box, it hardly weighs 10 kgs. The way he spoke, it was a bit arrogant. Everyone knows curator at The Oval is not the easiest person to deal with." Oval Groundsman Lodges Complaint; BCCI Steps In Reports indicate that Fortis filed a formal complaint with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) about Gambhir's conduct. As a reaction, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has intervened, with batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and a team logistics officer conveying their stand to the ECB. The ECB has not issued an official statement about the issue as yet, but the incident has provided additional pressure on the run-up to the fifth Test at the Oval.