Man arrested after Australian women’s cricketers stalked, touched inappropriately, in India
The boss of the players’ union has rejected a claim two Australian women’s cricketers broke protocol before they were “stalked” and “touched inappropriately” by a motorcyclist in India.
The two Australian female players who were allegedly touched inappropriately on an Indian street are “going OK” with player union boss Paul Marsh rejecting a report that claimed the pair had breached security protocols in the lead-up to the incident.
A man has been arrested by local police following the episode in which a pair of Aussie cricketers are alleged to have been harassed by a motocyclist in the city of Indore on Thursday morning Indian time as the players headed towards a cafe the morning after Australia’s World Cup win over England.
The Times of India has reported that a man identified as Akil Khan has been arrested, with footage emerging of the man in custody with an arm and leg in a cast.
#WATCH | MP | Indore Police have arrested the accused, Aqueel, in connection with the alleged molestation of two members of the Australian women's cricket team on 23rd October
— ANI (@ANI) October 25, 2025
(Source: Indore Police) pic.twitter.com/SLQVVpiScT
Khan, who reportedly has a criminal history, has been charged under section 74 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty) and section 78 (stalking) of India’s criminal code.
The ABC has quoted an ICC spokesperson claiming that the Australian team had breached protocols by allowing the players to walk the streets unescorted.
However Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Paul Marsh – who has spoken to the players in question – said that his understanding was there was no such rule.
In any case, Marsh said the players, though shaken, were OK and that ultimately it was difficult to remove all risks.
“I think the message I just want to get out there is that it’s unfortunate that it happened. The players are going OK. The response to it, you couldn’t have asked for anything more from the Australian cricket team security manager and from the local police,” Marsh told Code Sports on Sunday
“I think you can’t protect everything. The focus is heavily on security as part of professional sport, touring teams these days. But I don’t think there’s anything you can do to stop something like this, other than stay in the hotel, which isn’t particularly appealing and very good for mental health.”
The alleged perpetrator’s behaviour was widely condemned after reports emerged over the weekend.
India’s state minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said: “This is not just misbehaviour with a woman player, but a stain on India’s image.”
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BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia described it as “a very condemnable but stray incident”.
“We appreciate the state police for their prompt action to nab the culprit,” he said. “Let the law take its course to punish the culprit. We assure to revisit our safety protocols if required to further tighten the security.”
The Aussies thrashed South Africa on Saturday (Indian time) to continue their unbeaten run through the tournament. The side is due to head to Navi Mumbai for its semi-final against India on Thursday.
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