Watch: Vijay Mallya Arrives At The Oval To Watch Fifth India-England Test

It looks like Vijay Mallya just cannot remain detached from the game of cricket for long. Despite being a criminal, the absconding liquor baron has time and again attended Team India games in England whenever he got the opportunity. And he was among the attendees for the ongoing fifth England vs India Test at the Oval too.

News agency ANI posted a video showing Vijay Mallya entering the stadium before the start of the play.

#WATCH: Vijay Mallya seen entering The Oval cricket ground in London's Kenington. The 5th test match between India and England is being played at the cricket ground. #England pic.twitter.com/NA3RQOKkRJ

— ANI (@ANI) September 7, 2018

During this ongoing tour, Mallya had also wanted to meet Virat Kohli and the Indian cricket team during the first Test at Edgbaston. However, the Indian government did not grant him the permission.

The owner of the now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines, Mallya fled the country in March 2016 after he was exposed as one of the 11 people named in CBI’s charge sheet regarding Kingfisher Airlines’s unpaid loans to IDBI Bank. The businessman owes Indian banks Rs 9,000 crore (with interest). He was arrested by the British police in April 2017 on India’s request but was released on bail within hours.

United Spirits, which was once run by Mallya, owns Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL. Virat Kohli is playing for the franchise since 2008.

Mallya had also attended the India-Pakistan game in Edgbaston during last year’s Champions Trophy as well as some other games featuring India.  The controversial figure had also attended Kohli’s fundraising dinner in London before the start of the tournament. However, the Indian players had reportedly left the function early to avoid any controversy.

Meanwhile, India took the honours on day one of the fifth England vs India Test. Deciding to bat first, England were well placed at 133 for 1 at one stage. However, India made a fine comeback to reduce the hosts to 181 for 7 before England moved to 198 for 7 at stumps.