Stars slam 'shocking' pitch invasion

Some of India's top players have spoken of the "very disturbing" moment a man drove his car onto the field of play during a domestic match in Delhi.

Local media have reported that police arrested 32-year-old driver Girish Sharma after he evaded security and ended up in the middle of the pitch while the likes of India stars Ishant Sharma, Suresh Raina and Gautam Gambhir watched on.

The driver was detained and taken by police for questioning after he was eventually nabbed by security.

The Times of India reported that the security guard who was meant to be stopping cars at the gate was distracted by the match at the time. Having apprehended Girish, the security guard was then reportedly taken off duty.

Girish is reported to have claimed he was simply lost, but a local Delhi cricket official told The Hindustan Times that he "looked a complete mess" and "did not look in perfect mental health".

The driver was later quoted by the TOI as saying: "I was on my way back (home) after dropping my sister at the domestic airport. She was flying to Bengaluru. On my way, I saw that a cricket match was being played at the Palam Grounds. After realising that no one was guarding the entry gate, I took my car on to the field and tried to meet the players."

Local cricket administrators were quick to slam the incident and promise a full investigation.

Delhi Manager Shankar Saini told The Times: "Thank God nothing untoward happened. There was a possibility that it could have been more serious."

BCCI acting president CK Khanna added: "Imagine if the man had any sinister motive, then lives of international cricketers could have been in danger."