Sharmistha Gooptu in London
This morning as the Indian players alighted from the team bus for the optional practice starting 9.30 am (BST), those present, along with the support staff members, smiled and waved at us as we stood by the players entrance. It was expected after the team’s performance in Manchester. Arshdeep Singh, Shardul Thakur, and the entire media contingent, re-assembling at The Oval, were upbeat and we walked over to the media centre to take a look at the press box which will be home us for the next few days.
The lighter mood was however surpassed by intense speculation once we returned to the nets and the ongoing Indian practice session. What we saw unfolding before us was an intense argument between the Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir, who was inside the nets, and a tall member of the ground staff, who was found out to be the head groundsman, Lee Fortis.
While we are still unclear about what was being said, or the issue at hand, what is clear from some snatches overheard is that Gambhir was upset with something Lee said – apparently his manner was not acceptable. According to colleagues, Lee has had a bit of a history of altercations with visiting teams, and as I now write, he stands with his team right behind the Indian nets, watching.
During the argument a little while ago, Sitanshu Kotak, the batting coach, was seen trying to mediate the matter, but Gambhir seemed in no mood to relent. While the matter is over now, media members are still contemplating what the issue might have been to anger Gambhir and it will surely come up during the press conference to follow the practice session.
Highlight of the morning, as someone put it!
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