Cricket World Cup: Pitch invader wearing 'Free Palestine' t-shirt hugs Virat Kohli. See pics

A pitch invader hugs Virat Kohli during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) final match between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. (Image credit: AFP)

A spectator wearing a 'Free Palestine' t-shirt and carrying a Palestine flag face mask entered the cricket ground during the India vs Australia World Cup final match was underway at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. (Image credit: AFP)" width="1280" height="720" /> A pitch invader stands next to India's Virat Kohli during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) final match between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. (Image credit: AFP)

The t-shirt also bore a picture of bombings with the caption "Stop bombing Palestine".  The incident surprised several as the spectator managed to break through tight security to not only invade the pitch but also, touch Virat Kohli.

The pitch invader carries the flag of Palestine. (Image credit: AFP)

The man was, however, quickly escorted off the field by security personnel and taken to the Chandkheda Police Station in Ahmedabad. The moment was broadcast during the live streaming of the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup ODI final match between India and Australia.

A pitch invader is taken off the field by security personnel during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) final match between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. (Image credit: AFP)

This, however, was not the first time that Virat Kohli has had to face pitch invaders. In 2022, a 26-year-old man from Maharashtra had entered the cricket stadium in Gahunje to greet the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) player Virat Kohli and the Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma during their IPL match.

The pitch invader runs through the field during the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup one-day international (ODI) final match between India and Australia at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on November 19. (Image credit: AFP)

The man ran into the grounds, first fist-bumped Virat Kohli who was batting, and then moved towards Rohit Sharma. A video of the incident had gone viral on social media and the man was later arrested.

Read more: Australia vs India 1st ODI pitch invasion: Protesters with 'no $1bn Adani loan' sign run onto field