Unbelievably, a man allegedly followed and harassed two Australia women’s cricket players as they made their way back to their hotel in Indore. According to reports, the incident happened on Thursday, October 23 in the morning as the players were making their way back from a café to the Radisson Blue Hotel, where the entire team is staying before their final Women’s World Cup 2025 league stage match on Saturday.
Danny Simmons, the team’s security manager, lodged a complaint at the M.I.G. Police Station the same evening. The Times of India said that a suspect was booked after being inspected and having their CCTV footage reviewed.
The individual, who is said to be from the Khajrana neighborhood of the city and is named Aqeel, has been charged with “outraging modesty and stalking.” The local police have assured that the players’ safety will be their top priority while the probe is reportedly under process.
For cricket players who are merely on national duty away from home, the ICC and the host board, in this case the BCCI, should coordinate with local law enforcement authorities. The recent incidents of molestation, stalking, and targeting of overseas players raise serious security concerns. This would guarantee the seamless execution of a major event like the World Cup, and the local authorities will also be commended by the international organizations, which will be advantageous for the country.
Additionally, the people of Indore, which has been the cleanest city in the nation for around ten years, should consider it their duty to welcome visitors and not make their stay frightening. Alternatively, the teams might decide not to visit the cricket-mad country for international competitions or even bilateral events, depriving Indian fans of their favorite spectator sports.
Returning to the main event, Australia Women’s team, captained by Alyssa Healy, has already advanced to the semi-finals and is vying for the top spot in the standings.
They must defeat South Africa Women on Saturday in order to accomplish this, and on October 30, they will play the hosts in the semi-final in Navi Mumbai.
India
