New Delhi: Gujarat police arrested a Palestine supporter after he invaded the cricket pitch Sunday during the ICC World Cup final in Ahmedabad, and tried to hug Indian batsman Virat Kohli.
“My name is John…I am from Australia. I entered (the field) to meet Virat Kohli. I support Palestine,” he told ANI while taken into the police station.
The pro-Palestine protester, who was brought to the Chandkheda Police Station, wore a shirt that read: “STOP BOMBING PALESTINE” in reference to Israeli air strikes on Gaza amid the month-long conflict against Palestinian terror group Hamas. The fan was also wearing a facemask in the colours of the Palestinian flag.
He attempted to embrace Kohli, who was batting with K. L. Rahul in the 14th over of the final match against Australia, causing a temporary halt to the match.
Some online users questioned how a fan was able to breach security entering the field and criticised authorities for not being more vigilant.
“Security needs to be more vigilant and prevent such incidents at the boundary line itself,” a popular cricket fan page, All About Cricket, said on X, formerly Twitter.
This is a serious security breach! How is a "Save Palestine" T-shirt even allowed inside the stadium?
The person wearing it jumped over the boundary and ran dangerously close to Virat Kohli. Security needs to be more vigilant and prevent such incidents at the boundary line… pic.twitter.com/DybnVuMWLs
— All About Cricket (@allaboutcric_) November 19, 2023
Notorious ‘Jarvo’ & other famous pitch invasions
Over the years, several cricket fans have invaded the pitch, with some acquiring a reputation of their own such as British YouTuber Daniel Jarvis, who is also known as ‘Jarvo’
Known for pranks and breaching security. Jarvo first gained notoriety in 2021 after running onto the pitch in three of India’s matches against England. In the past, he has entered the pitch in full cricket gear and on one occasion, bowled a ball before colliding with England batsman Jonny Bairstow.
This year, he was banned from attending the ICC World Cup matches after pulling a stunt during India’s opening match against Australia in Chennai last month. The prankster had entered the field before the match officially began, and was escorted out of the stadium after exchanging words with Kohli.
Jarvo 69 Making his long-awaited Cricket World Cup debut for India! #jarvo69 #jarvo pic.twitter.com/8TXFr3Z8OH
— Jarvo69 (Daniel Jarvis) (@BMWjarvo) October 9, 2023
Another pitch invasion took place during an ODI between Pakistan and England played in Yorkshire, the UK in 2001 when supporters of the visiting team invaded the ground that led to the injury of a steward.
The fans, most of whom were Pakistan supporters, stormed the pitch, wrongly assuming their team had won, due to the wrong number displayed on a scoreboard.
A 2001 report by The Guardian said that Pakistan needed 157 to win and had reached 149 when a boundary was scored. The scoreboard showed 159, however, caused a stream of jubilant fans to storm the pitch. England eventually conceded the match.
In April 1999, Australian captain Steve Waugh had his batch snatched while playing an ODI against West Indies in Guyana. During the final ball of the match, spectators stormed the pitch. Waugh and Shane Warnewere in the midst of completing a third run, which would have tied the game, when the incident took place. In the end, International Cricket Council (ICC) adjudicator Raman Subba Row declared the match a tie.
(Edited by Tony Rai)
Also Read: Mohammad Shami has a dream for rural Amroha. UP govt is ready with the land, money