Harbhajan Singh recently responded to Kirti Azad’s controversial comments about the Indian cricket team’s religious practices. Azad, a former 1983 World Cup winner, sparked debate after asking why the team always visits a temple after winning a trophy. He questioned why, given the team’s diverse faith backgrounds, they couldn’t also visit a mosque, church, or gurudwara.

In his viral post on X, Azad criticised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for supposedly dragging the team into a religious issue, suggesting that such practices reflected a focus on one religion in a nation of 1.4 billion people. He argued that the victory should be a celebration for everyone, regardless of religious identity.

Harbhajan Singh, who was part of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning squad, responded with a powerful message promoting religious unity. He emphasised that a temple, mosque, church, and gurudwara all represent the same values, and it was inappropriate to criticise players or the board for expressing their faith.

“It’s ridiculous that Kirti Azad is trying to make this a political issue. The Indian team has every right to take the trophy to a temple, mosque, church, or any place of worship they choose. If they prayed for success and wish to express their gratitude for having their prayers answered, what’s wrong with that?” Harbhajan Singh stated.

“It’s disheartening to hear such things coming from fellow cricketers. It seems like some are prioritizing politics over the game itself. What’s even more disappointing is that he’s a sportsman. The country has just won a World Cup. We should be celebrating and enjoying the victory, but instead, some are choosing to play politics. In our faith, we believe all religions are equal. While the gods may be different, the path is the same. Whether they visit a temple, mosque, or church, it’s all the same. It’s their personal faith, and no one should question that,” he added.

Kirti Azad raised concerns about the Indian cricket team’s decision to take the World Cup trophy to a temple, pointing out that the team represents a diverse range of religious beliefs in India. He argued that the victory belongs to all 1.4 billion people and questioned why the trophy wasn’t taken to places of worship of other faiths like mosques, churches, or gurudwaras.

Azad also referenced the 1983 World Cup squad as an example of religious diversity in Indian cricket and suggested that the celebrations should be more inclusive, reflecting the unity of the nation.

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