AUS vs IND: Pitch invader's brazen attempt to hug Virat Kohli ends in police custody

Day 2 of the ongoing fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024-25) was quite an eventful one for both India and Australia. With several moments making the highlight from the game, one of the moments which captured attention was when a fan ran into the ground towards the Indian slip cordon.

The fan ran straight towards India skipper Rohit Sharma, who managed to evade him, but the fan went to Virat Kohli afterwards. The former India skipper did not lose his cool and stood his ground before the security personnel caught up with the intruder. The fan was captured wearing a blue shirt that read “Free” written on the Ukrainian flag. In the aftermath, the fan was taken in by the police, and the Victoria Police also came forward and released a statement that they had charged the fan.

“He was apprehended by security and handed over to police to be interviewed. The 25-year-old NSW man has been charged with entering a sporting competition space and disrupting play, pursuant to the Major Sporting Events Act 67(2) and trespass. He has been bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 3 March 2025,” the statement read.

Intruder had invaded the pitch during ODI World Cup 2023 final

It is worth noting that the police did not reveal the name of the intruder, but according to pictures, there have been reports that the intruder was the same person who ran onto the pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium during the India vs Australia ODI World Cup 2023 final. Back then, he was wearing a Free Palestine shirt as well.

Also Watch: Sam Konstas mimics Virat Kohli's shoulder push during Boxing Day Test, video goes viral

It is also worth noting that the fan has been a habitual offender and even ran onto the field during the FIFA Women’s Football World Cup in Australia, last year. He also posted some pictures from his run-in with Virat Kohli at the MCG and shared his experience of meeting Kohli once again as well.