Pitch invader with Palestinian flag interrupts play, runs into Virat Kohli

Talismanic batter Kohli scored the first fifty of the World Cup final but fell soon afterwards for 54 when bowled by Australia captain Pat Cummins

IND vs AUS ICC World Cup 2023 final: A massive security breach took place at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium amid live action during the ICC World Cup 2023 final between India and Australia on Sunday.

A Palestinian supporter invaded the field and hugged Virat Kohli during the 14th over of India's innings, however, he was quickly removed by the security.

#WATCH | Gujarat: The man who breached the security & entered the field during the India vs Australia Final match, says, "My name is John...I am from Australia. I entered (the field) to meet Virat Kohli. I support Palestine..." pic.twitter.com/5vrhkuJRnw

— ANI (@ANI) November 19, 2023

Talismanic batter Kohli scored the first fifty of the World Cup final but fell soon afterwards for 54 when bowled by Australia captain Pat Cummins.

Kohli completed his fifth successive score of fifty or more at the tournament, albeit it took him a relatively sedate 56 balls with just four fours. Kohli, who started this match as the tournament's leading batsman with 711 runs, scored a record-breaking 50th one-day international hundred in unbeaten hosts India's 70-run semi-final win over New Zealand. That innings saw Kohli surpass the mark of 49 centuries he had shared with retired India great Sachin Tendulkar.

Also Read: A bitter pill to swallow

The Indian team waltzed into the final unbeaten after playing 10 games, chasing five of the matches while defending totals in five. On the other hand, Australia, after losing two games on the bounce at the start of the tournament, recovered to win eight consecutive matches thereafter to reach the final. India will be looking to lift their third World Cup title, while Australia will be aiming to clinch their sixth trophy.

Yet for all India's unrivalled financial muscle and wealth of playing talent, it is 10 years since they last won a major international tournament -- the 2013 Champions Trophy. Doubts still linger about whether a talented India team can stand up the strains of a final against a hardened Australia side full of proven big-match performers.

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