Selfie with Gir lions lands cricketer Ravindra Jadeja in trouble

Ravindra Jadeja found himself facing a bouncer off the field when he caught the attention of the Gujarat Forest Department by posing for a picture with a pride of Lions at the Gir National Park and Sanctuary on Thursday.

According to a report on The Indian Express, the Indian all-rounder was enjoying a lion safari in the tourism zone of the sanctuary in Junagadh district along with wife Riva Solanki when he got down from his vehicle — which is strictly forbidden according to rules — and decided to pose with the big cats. A couple of forest guards who were accompanying him were also reported to have joined him in the act.

Jadeja, a native of Jamnagar district in Gujarat, uploaded the images of his trip on the social media, which went viral and caught the attention of the authorities.

"GNPS is a protected forest and tourists are not allowed to get down from vehicles while inside the jungle. But pictures showing the cricketer having got down from vehicle in the jungle and and having taken selfies with lions are circulating on social media.

"Therefore, we have ordered GNPS superintendent to conduct an inquiry into the incident and file a report," Aniruddh Pratap Singh, chief conservator of forests of Junagadh Wildlife Circle, was quoted as saying in the report.

According to The Times of India, his sister Naina pleaded ignorance on the issue by saying,"I am not aware whether he got down or not but if he did, he wouldn't have known the rules.

This is not the first time that Jadeja has courted controversy this year. During his wedding, which took place in April earlier, due to celebratory firing, for which a relative of his was responsible.

Jadeja is known for his love of animals, and has admitted to being a major horse-lover, owning a private farm at his home for the same.