New Delhi: A major security breach at the Air Force Sports Complex in Palam allowed a 30-year-old man to drive his Wagon R onto the pitch during the closing stages of the third day’s play between Delhi and Uttar Pradesh on Friday.

The bizarre incident took place around 4.40 pm, 20 minutes before the close, after match officials decided on an hour’s extension to make up for the over-rate. No play was possible on the day after the incident.

The Palam, the home ground of the Services Ranji Trophy team, is situated next to Terminal I of the Indira Gandhi International Airport. It belongs to the Indian Air Force. However, this is the home match of Delhi, who have taken the ground on rent as the Kotla was occupied for the T20I between India and New Zealand.

The two Uttar Pradesh batsmen — Akshdeep Nath and Imtiaz Ahmed — were at the crease when the man drove onto the pitch much to the surprise of the Delhi fielders, which included India players like Gautam Gambhir, Ishant Sharma and Rishabh Pant.

The players were completely dumbfounded when the person identified as Girish Sharma, a resident of Delhi, came driving down at considerable speed and entered the field of play. He even went for a spin around the pitch and then tried to flee before being nabbed by the securitymen.

The match referee, Narayanan Kutty, deemed the pitch “playable” after examining potential damage. The match will begin as scheduled on the final day.

The Indian Air Force has filed an FIR against Sharma at the local police station.

“He drove so dangerously that his car could have easily hit one of the fielders. In fact, Gambhir was lucky he was not hit,” said one of the Delhi team officials. Gambhir and Ishant were fielding at mid-on and mid-off when the incident happened.

The erring man was nabbed and interrogated by the security officials at the ground and later detained by police for questioning. The man was also allegedly beaten up by some security personnel.

When questioned, Sharma said he was on his way home after dropping his sister at the airport. He claimed that he was looking for a short cut due to heavy traffic and planned to drive through the ground. He added that he also wanted to watch the cricket match and meet the players.

It was later learnt that the main gate of the Air Force ground, which only allows entry of cars, was open with no securitymen in position. This allowed the man free access inside the complex.

A Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) official said the association did not have enough men at its disposal.

“The Air Force officials informed that the DDCA would have to manage everything. We kept the entry gate (which is also the exit gate) open in good faith. We thought the spectators could come in easily and watch the match,” he said.

“We will have an internal meeting before taking any decision. After all, it was no terror attack,” said the official.

The match referee said: “The match would continue as scheduled on the fourth and final day. We are treating it as a stray incident.

“I am sure the police will take necessary steps. Moreover, the pitch has not been damaged.”

Ishant Sharma though felt otherwise. “It’s, of course, a major security breach. We couldn’t understand for a moment what just happened,” said Ishant.