Women’s World Cup Security Under Fire After Australian Cricketers Assaulted in India

Alarming questions over player safety at this year’s Women’s ODI World Cup have surfaced after two Australian cricketers were allegedly harassed and sexually assaulted in India during the ongoing tournament.

The incident occurred in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where a man on a motorcycle reportedly followed and touched the players inappropriately as they walked from their hotel to a nearby café.

The players, part of the Australian women’s contingent staying at Radisson Blu Hotel, immediately triggered an SOS alert to their team security officer, Danny Simmons, who coordinated with local authorities. A formal complaint was lodged at the MIG Police Station, leading to the arrest of the accused, identified as Aqeel Khan.

The incident has sparked a wider debate over the adequacy of security arrangements for international athletes competing in India. The fact that the players were walking unsupervised from their hotel, despite being part of an ICC event, has raised concerns about coordination between tournament organizers, local law enforcement, and team security units.

Cricket Australia has reportedly confirmed the incident.

“Two members of the Australian Women’s Team were approached and touched inappropriately by a motorcyclist while walking to a café in Indore. The matter was immediately reported by team security to police, who are handling the investigation.”

This case of Australian cricketers being sexually assaulted comes days after they shared details about a team dinner where a rat invaded the restaurant, raising further concerns about the standards on offer for world-class athletes in India. It is also not the first time concerns have been raised about security protocols at international cricket events in the country. Players and officials have previously voiced discomfort over lax perimeter control, lack of escorts during team movements, and inconsistent crowd policing, issues that appear to have resurfaced during this World Cup.

As investigations continue, the incident has once again underscored the urgent need for the ICC and host nations to ensure foolproof protection for women athletes, whose safety must be treated as a top priority, not an afterthought.

Click here to read article