Ashleigh Gardners partner shares pic as Australia women players get police escorts in Mumbai after Indore incident
Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner's partner Monica shared a picture of policemen escorting their vehicle in Mumbai after two Aussie players were allegedly stalked and molested by a man in Indore.
Australian women cricketers have been provided with police escorts in Navi Mumbai after two of their players were allegedly stalked and harassed in Indore last week. Australia will take on India in the second semi-final of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Thursday, October 30.
Ahead of the all-important clash, the Australian team has already reached Mumbai and are training at the stadium. On Monday, Aussie all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner's partner, Monica, shared a picture of two police officers escorting them on a bike while they were on their way to a cafe from their hotel.
The Australian women's cricket team has been provided with police escorts after two of their players were harassed by a motorcycle-borne man in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The accused, identified as Aqeel Khan, followed the players while they were heading to a cafe from their team hotel and allegedly tried to touch them.
The players sent a distress signal to the Australian women's team's security manager, following which a vehicle was dispatched for their help. The incident took place at the Khajrna Road area, and the accused was arrested with the help of a bystander, who had noted down his bike's number.
Enhanced security measures for Australian team in Navi Mumbai
Following the shocking incident in Indore, enhanced security arrangements have been put in place for the Australian women's team during their stay in Navi Mumbai. According to India Today, a senior police officer in Navi Mumbai informed that guards have been deployed at the Australian team's hotel in the city.
The team bus is escorted by police professionals while travelling to the stadium from the hotel and vice versa. Around 600 police personnel have been deployed on the ground. At the same time, the police have also arranged for personal police escorts to accompany the players when they want to travel outside the hotel.
The police have urged the Australian players to inform them before leaving the team hotel to ensure that police escorts are provided for their security.
"After learning about the incident, we reinforced the precautions we were already taking. But sometimes, what happens is that players go out without informing the police, and that creates a problem. If they inform us beforehand, we ensure their protection,” the officer was quoted as saying by India Today.
Australia will lock horns with India in the second semi-final of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025 on Thursday, October 30. The seven-time champions are unbeaten in the tournament so far and will start as favourites against India, who will be without in-form opener Pratika Rawal in the semi-final.