A security breach happened during the second ODI between India and New Zealand at Rajkot’s Niranjan Shah Stadium when a fan hugged Virat Kohli while he was on the pitch. In a footage that leaked on social media (but has since been removed), the fan was seen going onto the pitch to hug the Indian batting great. Before being hauled away by security, the former Indian captain hugged a fan.
The same thing happened in the first of three fifty-over internationals against South Africa at Ranchi in November. A fan invaded the pitch and tried to hug Kohli after he reached his 52nd hundred, before being escorted out of the playing area. Whether the fan will have to pay heftily in Rajkot, we’ll find out soon.
Here’s the video from the incident in Rajkot:
Fan breaches the fence and jumps in to the ground, has a cute hug with Kohli🫂💫 pic.twitter.com/kJ1p5n4A3X
— rohit. (@chupkaroyaarrr) January 14, 2026Security breaches have also occurred in the IPL, and the 2025 edition witnessed a few of them. Fans rushed onto the pitch to hug Kohli and Rajasthan Royals all-rounder Riyan Parag.
Virat Kohli falters in Rajkot as New Zealand level series with seven-wicket win
KL Rahul’s brilliant 112 was the highlight as India reached 284/7 in their second one-day international against New Zealand on Saturday. Besides Rahul, captain Shubman Gill made 56 off 53 balls. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja and Nitish Kumar Reddy chipped in with scores in the twenties.
Kristian Clarke was the tourists’ most successful bowler, taking 3/56 in his eight overs. Kyle Jamieson, Zak Foulkes, skipper Michael Bracewell and debutant Jayden Lennox picked up a scalp apiece.
New Zealand clinched the match to stay alive in the three-match series, which now stands level at 1-1. With the victory, the Kiwis also secured their second successive series triumph, following their 2-1 win over South Africa in December last year. Despite the result, India continue to dominate the home ODI rivalry, having won each of the previous eight ODI series against New Zealand on home soil.
The third and deciding ODI between the two sides is scheduled for Sunday (January 18) at Indore’s Holkar Stadium.
