Amidst the electrifying atmosphere of the India versus Australia ICC World Cup 2023 final, a bold spectator wearing a shirt emblazoned with messages supporting Palestine managed to breach security and step onto the hallowed turf of the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad, India.
This audacious act, which occurred during the 14th over of India’s innings, momentarily halted the high-stakes match as the invader, driven by a fervent desire to meet Virat Kohli, India’s cricketing icon, made a beeline towards him.
#ICCCricketWorldCup | Security breach during the India versus Australia ICC World Cup 2023 Final match, in Ahmedabad after a spectator entered the field to meet Virat Kohli pic.twitter.com/ZuvXlHMWp0
— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2023
The man, clad in a white Free Palestine T-shirt bearing the slogans “Stop Bombing Palestine” and “Free Palestine,” along with a face mask adorned with the Palestinian flag, and red trousers, managed to evade the watchful eyes of security personnel and approach Kohli.
With an unwavering determination, he reached out to put an arm around the star cricketer, but his audacious move was swiftly interrupted by alert police officers who quickly escorted him off the field.
Police arrested the Palestine supporter who breached the security to enter the ground. pic.twitter.com/glpqFy7X27
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) November 19, 2023
Later, a video surfaced showing the man, now dressed in a yellow T-shirt, being taken to the Chandkheda police station in Ahmedabad. At the station, he was filmed confessing to his intentions, stating that he had entered the field solely to meet Kohli.
#WATCH | Gujarat: The man who entered the field during the India vs Australia Final match, brought to the Chandkheda Police Station in Ahmedabad pic.twitter.com/pm9AMyhsSi
— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2023
#WATCH | Gujarat: The man who breached the security & entered the field during the India vs Australia Final match, says, "My name is John…I am from Australia. I entered (the field) to meet Virat Kohli. I support Palestine…" pic.twitter.com/5vrhkuJRnw
— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2023