Fan briefly detained after security breach to meet Virat Kohli

An 18-year-old cricket enthusiast, Rituparno Pakhira, found himself in a brief stint behind bars and banned from entering Eden Gardens for the current Indian Premier League (IPL) season.

His crime? Breaching security to meet his idol, Virat Kohli, up close. Pakhira's bold move came during Saturday’s IPL 2025 opener between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

Despite the consequences, Pakhira remains unremorseful. He cherishes the moment he got to touch Kohli’s feet and even received a hug from the cricketing legend. During the disruption, Kohli, renowned for his calm demeanor on the field, handled the situation with grace. According to Pakhira, Kohli inquired about his name, advised him to run away quickly, and instructed security personnel to escort him out gently, ensuring he was unharmed. This interaction was reported by the Times of India.

Pakhira revealed he had meticulously planned his daring act, determined to meet the man he reveres. "I had planned to enter the ground at any cost and prepared myself. I am very happy that I was successful and that I could touch my god," he shared, standing by his bold actions as one of the most memorable experiences of his life.

The incident unfolded shortly after Kohli reached his half-century, with the euphoric fan leaping over the guardrails, racing towards him, and grabbing his legs, much to the surprise of the crowd and players alike.

Meanwhile, in another conversation reflecting on the bond between cricket icons, former India captain MS Dhoni spoke about his relationship with Kohli. Despite stepping down as India's Test captain, Dhoni reflected on their continued friendship and respect for one another. Dhoni explained their past discussions on strategic plays and their shared growth through those interactions. 

"We had honest exchanges about situations," said Dhoni, while speaking on Jio Hostar. "Initially, it was a relationship between a captain and a young player, but over time, we became friends. Even today, we share that bond, though there's always a line of respect between a senior and a junior. Now that neither of us is captain, we get more time to talk before matches."

Such stories highlight the profound impact cricket personalities have on their fans, as well as the camaraderie shared among players who have shaped Indian cricket history.