IPL 2025: Pitch invader Virat Kohli fan gets arrested by Kolkata Police

The opening game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 was between the reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. It was an interesting game of cricket as the top-order batters from both teams wreaked havoc on the bowlers. It was RCB's decision to bowl first in the game, which went in their favour. 

RCB won the game comfortably by seven wickets, thanks to a wonderful partnership between Virat Kohli and Phil Salt, who was playing against his former team. Despite Sunil Narine and skipper Ajinkya Rahane's 103-run partnership in the first innings, KKR's middle-order failed to continue the momentum. They scored 174/8, which was chased in 16.2 overs by RCB as Kohli and Liam Livingstone were at the crease to see the team through.

During RCB's batting, when the 36-year-old scored a half-century, a fan invaded the pitch. He went straight to the batter and touched his feet. Kohli, being a generous person, asked him to get up and hugged him instead. By then, the officials came in and took the invader out of the ground.

Also Check: Pitch invader causes disruption during tournament opener to meet Virat Kohli

What happened to pitch intruder in KKR vs RCB game?

Shortly after this incident, the invader was arrested by the Kolkata Police. Rhituparno Pakhira, the 18-year-old fan of Virat Kohli, didn't have any remorse for his actions. He revealed to the law enforcement authorities that he was a die-hard fan of Kohli and didn't care about the consequences, which might happen later. He was only interested in meeting his idol. According to reports, the young fan went inside the field from the 'G Block', after fighting the police officials present there.

Kolkata Police took the fan to the Maidan police station, where a suo moto complaint was filed against him. He has been charged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 132 (assaulting or using criminal force against a public servant), 329(3) (criminal trespass), and 125 (acts that endanger human life or personal safety through reckless or negligent actions).