India, July 30 -- India head coach Gautam Gambhir found himself at the centre of a storm on the eve of the fifth Test at The Oval after a fiery exchange with Lee Fortis, the head curator of the venue. The incident unfolded during India's training session when Gambhir was asked to stay 2.5 meters away from the pitch, a directive that did not sit well with the former opener, who was assessing surface conditions ahead of the final clash in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed the confrontation, which raised eyebrows given the significance of pitch inspections in shaping tactical calls and the final XI.

While such inspections are a routine pre-match ritual for captains and coaching staff, the controversy has...