Australia Women Cricketers Harassed in Indore | ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 | Accused Arrested
An Australia cap in the dressing room ICC via Getty Images
What happened
On the morning of Thursday, October 23, 2025, two Australian women’s cricket players were walking from their hotel in Indore to a café nearby when an alleged motorcyclist followed them and touched one of the players inappropriately. The event took place in the Khajrana Road locality of Indore. As the reports noted, the man originally said he requested a selfie; later he confessed to following and offending the players. The accused, Aqeel Khan (or Akil Khan), around 30 years of age, was arrested after a witness provided the motorcycle registration number. An FIR was filed under Sections 74 (use of criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty), and 78 (stalking) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
What happened
Cricket Australia (CA) verified the occurrence: “Two members of the Australian Women’s team were approached and inappropriately touched by a motorcyclist as they were walking to a cafe in Indore.”
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary Devajit Saikia called it “a very condemnable but stray incident,” and expressed a zero-tolerance approach, promising to review security protocols.
The host association, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), stated they were deeply upset and told the players and the visiting team they expressed their apologies.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar urged for the organization to impose a maximum penalty on the accused, calling the incident “heinous” and not an example of India’s hospitality.
Meanwhile, a Madhya Pradesh minister, Kailash Vijayvargiya, created a backlash by saying that the incident was “a lesson for both the players and us,” for not working appropriately with security to the area.
Security impacts & Next steps
After the incident security for the Australian women’s team was increased for the next venue(s): eg. in Mumbai/Navi Mumbai they were provided police escort and movement protocols were increased.
The authorities advised they would review the players’ movement protocols (hotel to stadium, outing) and ensure improved cooperation between team security and the local police.
Significance & Broader concerns
Instead of only igniting safety concerns for visiting athletes in the host city, the incident also draws attention to how safe India (and Indore) is perceived to be as a host country for international sporting events.
This comes on the heels of a high-profile Women’s World Cup and puts more pressure on event organizers and hosts to ensure strong security and zero tolerance for harassment.
It also sparks conversations about women, including elite athletes, experiencing harassment in public spaces—even when supported by team security and a 5-star hotel and major event space.
Ellyse Perry and Kim Garth walk off after Australia sealed the highest chase in women’s ODI history Getty Images
What remains to be seen
Progress of the investigation: charges against the accused, past offenses, and the legal process going forward.
Will team security policies change permanently—for local travel, the ability to leave the hotel when needed, sightseeing, etc.
How host cities will handle athlete safety in areas outside the stadium for large events: for example, hotel district (“zone”), city transit, and interactions with fans/public.