US EditionControversy Arises Over T20 World Cup Trophy at Temple
- After India lifted the T20 World Cup 2026, captain Suryakumar Yadav and Jay Shah took the trophy to a Hanuman Mandir in Patna, where players faced media questions with some declining to respond.
- Kirti Azad criticised the visit, saying the World Cup belongs to every faith and taking it only to a mandir wasn't ideal, pointing to the 1983 World Cup-winning side led by Kapil Dev for its religious diversity.
- India posted 255 and New Zealand were dismissed for 159, with Kishan finishing the tournament with 317 runs at a strike rate above 190, and Azad noting varied player practices.
- Asked in Patna, Ishan Kishan, India batter, urged reporters to focus on the team’s achievement and team representatives stressed the national side represents the entire country.
- Players' differing rituals, such as Mohammed Siraj and Sanju Samson never taking the trophy to worship sites, and media questioning in Patna suggest debate over future celebration protocols.
23 Articles
23 Articles
The Indian cricket team’s strength is diversity, but a visit to the temple with the T20 World Cup trophy undermines it
ICC chairman Jay Shah paying homage at a temple would have been viewed as a personal visit had he not been seen with the men of the moment — T20 World Cup-winning captain Suryakumar Yadav, who was carrying the trophy, and head coach Gautam Gambhir. By taking the coveted silverware along, Shah linked a winner’s trophy to a particular place of worship in a cricket-crazy nation.
‘Useless Question’: Ishan Kishan On Kirti Azad’s Trophy Taken To Temple Criticism-Watch
The controversy began after ICC Chairman Jay Shah, India head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav visited a Hanuman temple in Ahmedabad following India’s 96-run victory over New Zealand.
Ishan Kishan brushes aside Kirti Azad's criticism over temple visit with T20 World Cup trophy
After India lifted the T20 World Cup 2026, captain Suryakumar Yadav, alongside head coach and ICC chief Jay Shah, visited a nearby Hanuman Mandir to offer their prayers. That act caught the attention of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning keeper Kirti Azad, who criticised the move, stating that the World Cup belongs to every faith and taking it only to a mandir wasn’t ideal. "Why NOT a Mosque? Why NOT a Church? Why NOT a Gurudwara?… The Trophy Belon…
Why visit only temples? Kirti Azad's dig at Team India gets Harbhajan Singh's comeback
Former cricketer Harbhajan Singh has responded to 1983 World Cup winner Kirti Azad's question - why do the Indian team always visit a temple, and not a mosque, or a church? Harbhajan's response has gone viral.
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