IND vs AUS: Australian pitch invader interrupts World Cup 2023 final, tries to hug Kohli

The incident happened during the 14th over of the Indian innings, when the invader, Wen Johnson, crossed the fence and ran towards Kohli.

A pitch invader approaches Virat Kohli during the 2023 World Cup final between India and Australia in Ahmedabad. | Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI/THE HINDU

In a security breach during the World Cup final, an Australian national - donning a white tee supporting Palestine and red shorts - invaded the pitch and tried hugging Virat Kohli before he was apprehended by security authorities at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

The incident happened during the 14th over of the Indian innings, when the invader, Wen Johnson, crossed the fence and ran towards Kohli. He wore the Palestine flag as a mask and had a clear message on his shirt, ‘Stop Bombing Palestine’. Initially, he patted Kohli’s back and tried hugging the Indian batter, but was shooed away before the security personnel rushed to the scene.

The 24-year-old Johnson was later detained by Ahmedabad City Police and was taken to the Chandkheda Police station for questioning.

This, however, is not the first case of pitch invasion in this edition of the tournament. When India and Australia squared off at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai in a league game last month, social media influencer and serial pitch invader Daniel Jarvis, aka Jarvo, was apprehended by security authorities.

Jarvo entered the ground wearing India colours before the start of the match and was escorted by security personnel, following which the ICC banned him from attending further matches in the World Cup. He was later deported.

However, questions were raised on how he gained access to the VIP area and breached multiple security layers to enter the field of play.