Fans got over security to touch the feet of Virat Kohli at Arun Jaitley Stadium

There was chaos at the Arun Jaitley Stadium when fans broke security to meet Virat Kohli during the Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Railways. This was the second security breach in three days, raising concerns about the safety of players and spectators. Kohli’s return to domestic cricket after 12 years created so much excitement that security couldn’t handle the crowd. Fans Storm the Field Again On Day 3, three fans had already managed to elude the security personnel and rush into the field to meet the cricket icon Kohli. The Delhi team was taking the field after gaining a lead of 133 runs when the supporters reached for the cricketing icon. They ran towards the cricketing icon before security personnel could take them away and reach his feet, causing a temporary halt in play. The incident of the day was characterized by complexities that marked attempts to control this thirsty crowd bent on meeting the favorite player. Talking to True To Life coach Sohail mentions, ‘This is not the first time when, in the game, measures are compromised. On Day 1, while the same event happens with a fan running on the field, after this fan is taken by security, several breaches prove the failure of adequate measures to cope with the overflow of fans into the arena.’ Sheering Stampede at entrance gates of Stadium Security-related problems were not confined to the earthly bounds. A stampede-like situation developed at the entrance gates of the stadium as the crowds of a euphoric mob pushing from the front went on the rampage, well before the match was scheduled to begin, thus making a large number of viewers and Kohli watchers end in many cases, injury-prone. Quite a few were hospitalized, and several others were attended to by medical staff deputed from DDCA and police in the gates. The crowd crush also left the security personnel baffled to handle. During his effort to tackle the crowd, one of the staff got injured, and even a spectator was treated for a leg bandage he received while taking refuge in the melee. Gates’ scenes portrayed that the event people were not geared to handle a huge crowd mainly of cricket supporters. Record Ticket Demand Ends The DDCA had planned to open only two stands for the match because it had anticipated a very small crowd. However, the problem has upgraded and purchased tickets because it had discovered that Kohli was playing. To accommodate this unanticipated crowd, the third stand was opened. Not even this expanded space could accommodate all these thousands of people in order to have a glimpse of Kohli when he bats. The performances of Kohli in the first innings had been way below par as he got dismissed for a total of six runs by the Railways pacer Himanshu Sangwan. However, the presence of this young batsman alone was enough to attract large crowds to the stadium. Most of the spectators were expecting that Kohli would make amends in the second innings.Security RequiredRepeated security breach incidents in the Arun Jaitley Stadium posed critical questions against an effective crowd management system in the Ranji Trophy. At the same time, with Kohli being there, interest among crowds to participate more in domestic matches is something one cannot forget despite such an incident. The DDCA, along with all other cricketing authorities, will have to take proper measures to enhance security at the stadiums. Measures like the additional deployment of more security forces and proper barricading, entrance checking, and the education of the spectators toward better discipline can start. If mingling of the spectators with players at the grounds is allowed, then the game not only gets unorganized but perhaps also a dreadful precedent for every match in the future. Proper planning of ticketing and entry prevents overcrowding at the gate, which reduces the chances of stampede-like situations. The medical teams present at the stadium would also have an important role to play while dealing with the injuries that occurred in such mishaps. Domestic Cricket and Kohli This has, of course, re energized enthusiasm for domestic games, which people have always wished to see done better. However, Virat Kohli played, and thousands started thronging the stadium every day, suggesting that star heroes can make it big even there. But whatever excitement he garners must then be controlled carefully so that those involved are at no risk in any way. The fans are eagerly waiting for Kohli to bat in the second innings, and it is now the turn of the organizers to take all the necessary steps so that such a thing must not happen again. India cannot be defeated by ardent cricket lovers; it needs proper planning and organization. The DDCA needs to do much more than that and can ensure such an incident will not come up again in the future matches. Well indeed, it is an ironic case with Kohli on the field that has much-needed focus on domestic cricket but also exposed some cracks in the security arrangement. Cricket authorities need to walk that thin line of entertaining fans for the game while also keeping the security right in place for players and spectators.