New Delhi, July 30 -- Tensions ran high at The Oval on Tuesday as India's head coach Gautam Gambhir found himself in a fiery exchange with pitch curator Lee Fortis during the team's practice session ahead of the fifth and final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Gambhir had an altercation with Lee regarding the practice facilities. As he stepped away, the Indian head coach animatedly pointed a finger and said a couple of words. India's batting coach, Sitanshu Kotak, was seen stepping in, taking Lee away and having a brief conversation with him.

Reacting to the incident, former India wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel came out in strong support of Gambhir, suggesting that the pitch curator's outburst was likely driven by frustration.

"I don...