Ajinkya Rahane 's fan breaches security to meet him (Photo: AFP)
During the 40th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Kings XI Punjab and Rajasthan Royals, the viewers saw an Ajinkya Rahane fan jump into the ground at the Sawai Mansingh stadium on Tuesday to meet him.
The incident took place in the second innings of the game when Kings XI Punjab was batting and needed 48 runs off 12 balls.
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Rajasthan’s bowler Jofra Archer had conceded just four runs in the first three balls and before the fourth bowl of the over was bowled a fan jumped over the fencing at the deep extra cover boundary and ran on to the field towards Rajasthan Royals skipper Ajinkya Rahane and shook hands with him.
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However, security personnel immediately rushed into the field and escorted the fan out of the ground.
Private security guards detain a fan of Rajasthan Royals team captain Ajinkya Rahane after he entered on the pitch to take a selfie during the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL) Twenty20 cricket match between Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on May 8, 2018. (Photo: AFP)
Notably, this is not the first time when a cricket fan has invaded the ground to meet his idol in the 11th season of IPL.
Earlier, during a match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Chennai Super Kings, an MS Dhoni fan had breached security at Eden Gardens and run up to the Chennai skipper and touched his feet. However, Dhoni advised the fan not to invade the playing field.
Dismissing suggestions that he ever considered stepping down as Kolkata Knight Riders captain during their disastrous start to IPL 2026, Ajinkya Rahane reflected on a turbulent campaign that eventually ended with the three-time champions missing out on the playoffs on the final day of the league stage.
CSK coach Stephen Fleming gave a cryptic response on the veteran’s availability next season, while fans await clarity on whether Dhoni will return or retire.
As MS Dhoni retirement speculation grows ahead of CSK’s final home game against SRH, Sunil Gavaskar says he would be “surprised” if the former captain returns after over a year away from competitive cricket.