Supporters breaking security protocols to meet their favorite cricket stars is illegal, but it shows the immense respect they have for the players. Pitch invasions, especially in the IPL, have been on the rise in recent years. Such an incident happened during the KKR vs RCB match at Eden Gardens when 18-year-old Rituparno Pakhira breached security to greet Virat Kohli. The fan had bowed at his feet and had been hugged by Kohli before security personnel removed him from the field. He was subsequently banned from Eden Gardens for the duration of IPL 2025.
According to The Times of India, the fan was granted bail on Monday after being charged under sections of the BNS for the application of criminal force, criminal trespass, and reckless actions endangering the lives or safety of others. He was sent to police custody for a day. Magistrate Kaustav Mukhopadhyay not only rejected Kolkata Police’s request for further custody but also advised the fan to “be like Kohli in life” and avoid endangering others by breaching security.
“The moment I touched his feet, Virat Kohli sir picked me up, asked my name, and said jaldi se bhaag ja (run away fast). Kohli sir even told the security personnel approaching me not to hit me and asked them to escort me out of the ground gently,” the fan shared after being granted bail.
“I had planned to enter the ground at any cost and prepared myself. I do not have any regrets. I am very happy that I was successful and that I could touch my god,” the fan added.
The fan said, “When I entered the ground and touched Virat Kohli’s feet, he hugged me.
“Virat Kohli is an emotion. When I met Virat Kohli, I thought I had met God and whatever would happen next, I didn’t care.❤️[Xtra Time]#ViratKohli #RCBvsCSK #lsgvdc pic.twitter.com/R7dek1QRNp
— Indian Cricket Fc (@Jonathan_fcc) March 24, 2025
Virat Kohli’s Heartwarming Gesture
Rituparno’s mother, Kakali, appealed to the judiciary to show leniency towards her son. “He adores Virat Kohli. To him, Kohli is a god. We are requesting the cops and judiciary to forgive him, considering his age and his future,” she said from their home in East Burdwan’s Jamalpur.
As soon as Kohli reached his half-century, a fan was spotted sprinting from the boundary line toward the batter after slipping past security. Upon reaching him, the fan bowed at Kohli’s feet before embracing the RCB star tightly. Virat, in return, gave him a warm hug before security intervened and escorted him away. The fan’s actions drew loud cheers from the Kolkata crowd.
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