Pitch Invader Detained for hugging & touching Virat Kohli

_(AFP)

India secured a comfortable six-wicket victory over Afghanistan in the second T20I at Holkar Stadium in Indore, clinching the series on Sunday. Axar Patel's bowling prowess restricted Afghanistan to 172 on a benign pitch. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube's explosive half-centuries ensured India's win with 26 balls to spare.

The match marked Virat Kohli's return to T20I cricket after his last appearance in November 2022 during the T20 World Cup semi-final against England. Kohli's comeback drew enthusiastic chants from fans in Indore. During India's chase, a disruption occurred when a spectator breached security, reaching Kohli, touching his feet, and hugging him. The individual was detained and taken to Tukoganj police station.

The police revealed that the fan had a valid match ticket and entered through the Narendra Hirwani Gate. Describing him as a fervent Kohli supporter, the fan climbed the gallery fence to meet his idol. The youth is under interrogation, and further actions will be determined based on the investigation.

On social media, a user claiming to be the pitch invader shared his achievement but no official confirmation came from the police about his identity.

Kohli, adopting an aggressive approach, scored 29 runs in 16 balls during the chase. Yashasvi Jaiswal's explosive 68 off 34 balls, including six sixes, and Shivam Dube's unbeaten 63 off 32 balls powered India to victory. Despite Rohit Sharma's early dismissal, a crucial partnership of 57 runs between Jaiswal and Kohli set India on course. Dube and Jaiswal added another 92 runs, securing the win even after quick wickets fell to Karim Janat. Jaiswal's six sixes and Dube's impactful contributions highlighted India's dominating performance in the series.