The curator of The Oval, Lee Fortis, was criticised by former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra for displaying “hypocrisy” as he shared a 2023 photo of himself with Brendon. This came after a heated altercation between Fortis and India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir prior to the fifth and final Test of the 2025 Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.
Chopra questioned why McCullum was allowed on the ground but Gambhir and the Indian squad were cautioned and ordered to leave. “2023, the Ashes match. The same Oval curator is spotted on the field with England coach Brendon McCullum 48 hours prior to the game.
“Different regulations for various individuals?” Aakash Chopra said this in a video that was posted on X (previously Twitter).
Aakash Chopra said that when the Indian squad members came near the pitch wearing only rubber spikes, Gambhir’s anxiety was understandable and Fortis’ denial was absurd. For those who were unaware, Fortis’ interruption of India’s practice session annoyed Gambhir.
“You put an end to it. You don’t provide us instructions. Please refrain from telling us what to do. We don’t need to know. None of my squad members are informed of what we must perform by you. It’s not your place to inform us. You remain in your capacity; you are merely a groundskeeper. You are little more than a groundskeeper. In a video, Gambhir was heard telling Fortis, “You are just a groundsman.”
Not letting Gautam Gambhir and co near the square at the Oval – Double standards much? 🤔 #Aakashvani #ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/NALsH3y7Al
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) July 29, 2025
With one game remaining in the current series, India is behind 2-1. Their only win, a 336-run victory, occurred at Edgbaston, where Akash Deep finished with a 10-wicket match haul (10/187) and Shubman Gill was the star with a match total of 430 runs.
However, England won the first and third Test matches by 22 runs and five wickets, respectively. India’s valiant batting performance in the second innings helped to draw the most recent match at Old Trafford. In order to maintain the series, India persevered and managed to secure a hard-fought draw with three centurions in the innings.
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