India give Oval manager grounds for complaint

INDIA'S increasingly ill-tempered tour of England continued as head coach Gautam Gambhir engaged in an angry exchange with Surrey’s head groundsman ahead of tomorrow's deciding Test.

- By RORY DOLLARD

While England decided to take a break two days out from the fifth and final match of a tetchy series, India were back in the nets at The Kia Oval as they attempt to salvage a 2-2 draw.

But even with Ben Stokes and company absent, it did not take long for tensions to flare in south London. Gambhir, who can expect to face serious scrutiny over his position if England claim another victory, was seen sharing terse words with Lee Fortis, Surrey's lead curator.

Gambhir, a 58-Test veteran, was caught on camera wagging his finger as Fortis towered over him, repeatedly stating: “You can't tell us what to do” and “You don't tell any of us what to do”. Gambhir can also be heard adding: “You're just the groundsman, nothing beyond.”