India’s T20 World Cup victory has sparked a debate after members of the national team visited a Hindu temple in Ahmedabad with the trophy. The visit, meant as a gesture of thanksgiving following India’s emphatic win over New Zealand, drew criticism from former cricketer Kirti Azad, who questioned the decision to take the trophy to a temple. The controversy gained further traction after Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan reacted to Azad’s remarks, dismissing the criticism during a media interaction and suggesting that attention should remain on the team’s performance and celebrations.

Ishan Kishan Responds

Indian wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan appeared dismissive when asked about the criticism surrounding the temple visit with the World Cup trophy. When reporters raised Kirti Azad’s remarks during a media interaction, Kishan indicated that the focus should remain on the team’s achievements rather than the controversy.

“Well, we have won so well in the World Cup. What do I say now on what Kirti Azad said?” Kishan told reporters.

 

 

 

 

 

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When another journalist repeated the question, Kishan responded by suggesting that reporters should instead discuss the team’s performance in the tournament.

“Yes, you are asking such a good question! You should ask about how much fun we had; how we made runs,” he said.

He then turned back to a reporter and, speaking in Hindi, described the question as “bekaar”, meaning useless, before smiling and walking away.

The brief exchange quickly circulated on social media, drawing mixed reactions from fans and commentators.

Temple Visit Sparks Debate

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 to lift the T20 World Cup trophy.

#WATCH | Gujarat: ICC Chairman Jay Shah, Team India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir, along with Skipper Surya Kumar Yadav, offered prayers at the Hanuman Temple in Ahmedabad.

The Men in Blue crushed New Zealand by 96 runs to lift the #ICCT20WorldCup2026 pic.twitter.com/71SWAraDre

— ANI (@ANI) March 8, 2026

Images and videos of the team offering prayers with the trophy spread widely online. While some supporters viewed the visit as a customary act of gratitude after a major sporting achievement, others questioned whether a national sporting symbol should be associated with a specific religious setting.

Former India cricketer and member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team Kirti Azad publicly criticised the move in a post on X.

“Why not a mosque? Why not a church? Why not a gurudwara? The trophy belongs to 1.4 billion Indians of every faith-not one religion’s victory lap,” Azad wrote.