Another Test, another pitch invader! As India flexed muscles against South Africa at the Maharashtra Cricket Association International Stadium on Saturday afternoon, a fan dodged the security to touch Rohit Sharma’s feet.
The incident happened soon after Vernon Philander walked in to bat. Taking everyone by surprise, the fan sprinted towards Rohit — who was fielding at slip cordon — before trying to fall on his feet. While the players had a hearty laugh, the security officials were quick enough to take the fan away from the ground.
It was the third such incident in the ongoing India-South Africa series. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar who was commentating blamed it on poor security arrangements. “Security not there to watch the match for free,” Gavaskar said on air. “This is a perennial problem in India.”
IND vs SA, second Test, scorecard
“It’s a serious security issue. (It is) not just a question of a fan going to meet a cricketer. They have to make sure nobody enters the ground. Anything could happen. Why take a chance? It’s not easy to get inside the field. So what are they (security) doing?” the former India captain said.
The MCA officials, however, said that the security arrangements were in place and it was just an ‘one-off incident’.
Even in the first Test in Visakhapatnam, a fan had invaded the pitch. He shook hands with Virat Kohli before attempting to take a selfie with the on-field India cricketers. Earlier, during the second T20I in Mohali, the game was interrupted twice when fans tried to walk into the field.
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