Indore, Oct 25 (UNI) The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) today condemned the incident involving two Australian women cricketers during the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 here.
In an official statement, Devajit Saikia, Honorary Secretary of the BCCI, described the episode as “deeply regrettable and isolated,” emphasising India’s commitment to hospitality and safety for all visiting players.
The players were reportedly approached and touched inappropriately by a motorcyclist while walking to a cafe near their hotel around 11 am.
The Madhya Pradesh Police promptly arrested the accused, identified as Akil Khan, who has prior criminal cases against him. Khan has been charged under Sections 74 (use of criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty) and 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
BCCI Secretary Saikia appreciated the swift police action and reaffirmed the board’s zero-tolerance policy for such acts. “We maintain a zero-tolerance approach towards such incidents. We will review and strengthen existing safety protocols if necessary to prevent recurrence,” he said.
The incident prompted immediate action by the team’s security officer and local authorities, including CCTV and witness verification.
State minister Kailash Vijayvargiya also condemned the incident as a “stain on India’s image,” stressing that the guilty must face legal consequences as a deterrent. Cricket Australia confirmed the matter and commended local authorities for their prompt response.
The Australian women’s team, meanwhile, went on to defeat South Africa Women by seven wickets, and will meet hosts India in the semifinals in Navi Mumbai on October 30.
The BCCI reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all players during international tournaments in India.
