Australian Women Cricketers Harassed in Indore: A Wake-Up Call for Sporting Safety and Host Cities

In a deeply unsettling incident, two members of the Australia women’s national cricket team were harassed and inappropriately touched while walking from their team hotel to a café in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India, during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025. The episode has raised urgent questions about player security, host-city preparedness, and the broader issue of women’s safety in public spaces—even in internationally-hosted events.

The Incident: What Happened?

On the morning of October 23, 2025, the two Australian players left their hotel in Indore to visit a nearby café around 11 a.m. According to team security details and local police reports, a motorcyclist followed the players, and then the assailant made physical contact with one of them—touching inappropriately before speeding off.

The players immediately alerted their team security officer, who then contacted local liaison officers and arranged safe transportation from the scene. A local bystander helped note down the motorcycle’s registration number, which later enabled police to track and arrest the suspect.

The accused, named in media reports as Aqeel Khan (also spelt “Aqeel” or “Akil” in some sources), was arrested within hours and charged under Sections 74 and 78 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (relating to use of criminal force to outrage a woman’s modesty, and stalking, respectively).

Reactions and Implications: From Safety Protocols to Host City Reputation

Official Response

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) issued a strong condemnation of the incident, calling it “very condemnable” and emphasising that India is “known for its hospitality and care.” The association praised the prompt action of the Madhya Pradesh Police and promised to review safety protocols for visiting teams.

Locally, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) expressed regret that such an incident happened in a city that has cultivated a reputation for safety and courtesy toward visitors. They also pledged to work with authorities to assess any lapses in movement or security arrangements.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar publicly commented that the act tarnished the nation’s image, stating: “Lock him up and throw away the key.” He invoked the cultural ethos of “Atithi Devo Bhava” (guest is god) in reprimanding how such behaviour should never occur especially when hosting international athletes.

Broader Context

This incident doesn’t stand in isolation. While Indore has been rated as one of India’s safer cities for women (per the NARI 2025 index), the fact that international athletes were harassed so close to their accommodation underlines deeper systemic issues. www.ndtv.com

The timing of the event—during a Women’s World Cup fixture—means it has not only sporting consequences, but also diplomatic and reputational ones. Visiting teams expect not just competitive fairness, but also physical safety and respect. When that expectation is shattered, the cost is bigger than the immediate incident.

What It Means for Future Tours & Events

Enhanced Movement Protocols – Teams’ off-field movements (to cafés, walks, leisure) must be accompanied by clearly defined, enforced security protocols, no matter how “safe” the city is assumed to be. Even short walks can carry risk.
Hotel-to-Venue Security Coordination – It’s essential for the hotel, local police, event organisers, and team management to have synchronized real-time security support. In this case, the bystander’s intervention was pivotal—but that indicator should not be the primary reliance.
Transparent Incident Reporting & Follow-Up – Swift arrests send a message, yet ensuring rigor in investigations, prosecution and public reporting matters for deterrence and public confidence.
Host City Reputation Management – Cities bidding to host international sports must recognise that safety extends beyond the stadium – into transport, leisure, neighbouring neighbourhoods. Even well-ranked “clean” or “safe” cities can see reputational damage if a single incident involving visiting athletes occurs.
Gender-Aware Safety Training – Despite being athletes and in a group, these women were vulnerable. Tour organisers must embed gender-sensitive risk assessments: public behaviour, solo movements, open-streets exposures, and the difference between “team zone” and public zone.

Why This Incident Resonates Beyond Sport

While sport defines the moment, the event highlights larger societal issues: the safety of women in public spaces, the vulnerability of foreign visitors in unfamiliar contexts, and the intersection of athletic professionalism with off-field personal security. For the Australian cricketers involved, the incident could easily have dampened focus. Yet, the team performed strongly in the match following the event—a testament to their resilience.

Furthermore, from a host-city perspective, incidents involving international sport bring enhanced scrutiny. They carry global media attention and highlight how a singular breach of safety can overshadow months of planning, hospitality efforts and event logistics.

Moving Forward: Lessons and Accountability

The central question now is: how will the relevant bodies ensure this remains a wake-up call rather than a one-off headline? Accountability will be measured not just by statements and arrests, but by proactive changes in how visiting athletes are protected throughout their stay.

For example, did the players have the option (and did they use) a security-escorted route to the café? Was the wider hotel‐to‐leisure movement protocol clear and enforced? Did organisers consider the immediate geographic environment (open roads, café access, street traffic) and evaluate risk accordingly?

The broader sports community will watch how this is handled—not just as a one-time act of harassment, but as a benchmark for safety in female sports tours. It raises the question: if elite athletes can be in danger during high-profile events, what about less high-profile tours, grassroots teams, or individual movements?

Australian Women Cricketers Harassed in Indore