Virat Kohli’s unparalleled popularity was on display during the second T20I against Afghanistan in Indore when a fan managed to breach security to embrace the star Indian batter.
But the young man was detained by the cops before being taken to Tukoganj police station.
A police official said that the youth had a ticket for the match and entered the Holkar Stadium from Narendra Hirwani Gate.
He said that the young man seemed to be a big Kohli fan and entered the ground by climbing the fence of the spectators’ gallery with the desire to meet the player.
Kohli made a comeback to T20Is after a hiatus of 14 months having last played in the shortest format in the T20 World Cup 2022 semi-final. He played a 16-ball 29-run cameo.
The selectors recently included the seasoned pair of Rohit Sharma and Kohli in the ongoing T20I series against Afghanistan, signaling that they remain part of the plans for the shortest format.
Former India wicketkeeper Saba Karim drew parallels between Kohli’s return to T20Is and Cristiano Ronaldo’s comeback to Manchester United.
Clive Lloyd on whether Virat can break Sachin’s record of 100 centuries “This is akin to Cristiano Ronaldo coming back to Man United. The prodigal son returns, isn’t it? That’s something like, what Virat has done now 14 months. That’s a long time,” Karim said on JioCinema.
Talking about the match, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shivam Dube smashed half-centuries to help India register six wickets victory and take unassailable 2-0 lead in three-match series.
Jaiswal (68 off 34 balls), put on key partnerships including 92-run stand with left-handed partner Dube, who hit an unbeaten 63 as India chased down their victory target with 26 balls to spare.
Bowlers set up victory with left-arm spinner Axar Patel leading the charge with figures of 2-17 to bowl out Afghanistan for 172 despite Gulbadin Naib’s 57.