An intriguing moment unfolded during India’s only T20 World Cup 2024 warm-up match against Bangladesh at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. While the focus was on the players on the field, an excited Rohit Sharma fan managed to invade the pitch in the second innings, setting off security concerns.
Watch fan get handcuffed after meeting Rohit Sharma
The unidentified fan bypassed security and sprinted towards the Indian skipper, who was standing within the 30-yard circle. The fan embraced Rohit in a hug. Thankfully, security personnel reacted swiftly and apprehended the invader. However, the incident highlighted potential security vulnerabilities just weeks before the high-profile India vs Pakistan clash at the same venue.
The American policemen securing the fan may have used excessive force. Rohit himself was apparently heard urging the officers to ease up on the intruder. The fan was eventually handcuffed and escorted away in what seemed like a very harsh way.
This incident comes amidst heightened security measures implemented in the wake of a recent terror threat at the Nassau Stadium. The upcoming India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 match is expected to be a high-voltage encounter. However, this pitch invasion serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust security protocols.
Speaking about the match, India comprehensively beat Bangladesh by 60 runs to kickstart their T20 World Cup campaign. The major positives for the Men in Blue were undoubtedly Rishabh Pant’s blitz and Hardik Pandya and Shivam Dube’s all-round show.