Matthew Hayden terms Gautam Gambhir–pitch curator row a ‘typical England situation’

Gautam Gambhir and Oval pitch curator had a heated exchange. (Photo: X)

Former Australia cricketer and legend Matthew Hayden has shared his view on the famous spat between Gautam Gambhir and the Oval pitch curator ahead of the fifth Test between India and England. The incident took place during a practice session before the Oval Test when the head coach of India had a heated exchange with pitch curator Lee Fortis.

Gambhir was heard telling Fortis, “You don’t tell any of us what we need to do. You have no right to tell us, you’re just a groundsman, nothing more,” while pointing towards the Fortis during the heated exchange.

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India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak jumped in to calm the situation down and was seen having a conversation with Fortis later on to control the situation.

Aussie legend Hayden believes that Gambhir could have toned his language down a bit but also acknowledged the curator was not right either.

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"This is a typical case in England. It is a bit of a flex, here we are, final Test match, this is my venue, and they are going to try and make it difficult on Gautam Gambhir. But I think he's got every right to tone it down. He could have used better language. But the reality is, his team is trying to train ahead of the most important Test match," he said on 'All Over Bar The Cricket'.

Former Australian all-rounder Greg Blewett slammed the curator in the same discussion sharing his frustration as a commentator.

"I agree. Even now, even as a commentator, you get near the pitch and everyone is saying you can't get anywhere near it and you're like I haven't got spikes on. It is quite ridiculous. I get the frustration. But I agree that the language that he used wasn't great. If he reflects, he could have probably handled it a little better," he said.