Kirti azad criticizes T20 World Cup trophy visit to temple

Kirti Azad’s criticism is rooted in his experience as a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, which included players from diverse religious backgrounds. On March 8, 2026, the Indian cricket team secured their third T20 World Cup title by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

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Following their victory, the team took the T20 World Cup trophy to the Hanuman Temple in Ahmedabad for blessings. This action has drawn significant criticism from Azad, who stated, “This Team Represents INDIA — not Surya Kumar Yadav’s or Jay Shah’s Family!”

Azad emphasized that the trophy belongs to “1.4 billion Indians of EVERY Faith — NOT ONE RELIGION’S VICTORY LAP!” He expressed concern that the visit to the temple could be perceived as exclusionary, highlighting that sportspersons do not belong to any religion or caste but only to the sport.

In his statements, Azad recalled the diversity of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, noting, “When we won the World Cup under Kapil Dev in 1983, we had Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian in the team.” His remarks have sparked discussions about the intersection of sports and religion in India.

As the conversation continues, observers are keen to see how the cricketing community and officials respond to Azad’s criticisms and whether there will be any changes in how such celebrations are conducted in the future.