Chetan Sharma, former Indian cricketer and current Champions League T10 commissioner, spoke about the spat between Oval curator Lee Fortis and India head coach Gautam Gambhir over the pitch and also about resting Jasprit Bumrah for the fifth Test.
On the curator-coach situation, Sharma said don’t worry, the Indian team knows what they are doing. They are coaches with a lot of experience and it’s a well run team. They will sort it out. No issues, he told ANI.
Gambhir and Lee had a word over the practice areas, with Gambhir being denied close up access to the pitch. Gambhir pointed a finger and said a few words before walking away. India’s batting coach Sitanshu Kotak stepped in to pull Lee aside for a chat.
Kotak along with a few members of the Indian management were seen trying to explain things to an English official. Kotak did most of the talking. While Kotak was trying to calm things down, Gambhir who was near the nets pointed at Lee and said sternly, You don’t tell us what to do.
India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate joined Kotak during his chat with Lee, while Gambhir was making his point from the other side. Lee said a few things to Gambhir before walking away. When asked about the situation Lee was quiet and said, It’s not my job to be chummy with him. I don’t know, ask him.
Moving on to Bumrah’s absence in the last match, Sharma clearly said protecting India’s key fast bowler is more important than risking a long term injury. We need to give him a break. We shouldn’t ruin Bumrah’s career; he needs to rest. Everyone knew he would only play three Tests. The medical reports were shared from day one, Sharma said.
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He downplayed the fuss over Bumrah being rested and said, I don’t get why everyone is making a big deal out of it. He needs a break. Sharma also said that India won the Test without Bumrah, so the team can perform well without main players.
Look, whether someone is there or not, the Indian team won the Test match without Bumrah. As a cricketer I would rather have Bumrah fit and available for longer than have him play one Test and then be out for months, he said. He concluded that the decision makers, team management and selectors are best placed to make these decisions. I think the management knows best because they are the ones responsible. I am not. The selectors know what they are doing. So whatever they decide is the right call, he said.
On Friday Jasprit Bumrah was left out of the Indian squad for the fifth Test against England. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said in a statement, Jasprit Bumrah has been released from India’s squad for the fifth Test of the series against England. The final Test is at Kennington Oval, London.
