NEW DELHI: The popularity of Indian cricketers is unparalleled, and they are often revered like gods in the country, as seen in numerous past incidents. Fans go to any extent to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars.

Recently, security was breached during the first India–South Africa ODI in Ranchi, when a fan ran onto the field to touch Virat Kohli's feet after he notched his iconic 52nd ODI century.

Another incident of a security breach occurred during the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match between Punjab and Baroda in Hyderabad. The game had to be stopped multiple times as fans managed to barge onto the field to meet Hardik Pandya, who was making his return to competitive cricket after a two-month break.

What stood out was Hardik's heartwarming gesture, which won over his fans. As security personnel tried to detain the fan, Hardik stepped in, asking them to go easy, and even fulfilled the fan's wish by taking a selfie - a moment that drew loud cheers from the crowd.

Hardik's explosive return

Hardik made an excellent return to competitive cricket after two months, striking an unbeaten 77 to power Baroda to a seven-wicket win over Punjab. Pandya's 42-ball knock (7x4, 4x6) helped Baroda surmount Punjab's challenging 222 for eight in 20 overs, which was built around India opener Abhishek Sharma's 19-ball 50.

Pandya's blitz carried Baroda to 224 for three in 19.1 overs.

This was the 32-year-old's first competitive outing after turning up against Sri Lanka in an Asia Cup Super Fours match at Dubai on September 26.

Since then he missed the action owing to a left quadricep injury, and has been recuperating at the BCCI CoE in Bengaluru.