India’s triumphant defence of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup title on March 8, 2026, sparked an unexpected controversy after comments by former cricketer-turned-politician Kirti Azad regarding the team’s post-victory celebrations. The debate emerged after India defeated New Zealand national cricket team by a massive 96 runs in Ahmedabad, securing their second consecutive T20 World Cup triumph.
Azad Questions Trophy Visit to Temple
The controversy began when Azad, now a Member of Parliament from the All India Trinamool Congress, criticised the decision to take the World Cup trophy to a Hanuman Temple following the victory.
In a strongly worded post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on March 9, Azad wrote “SHAME ON TEAM INDIA,” questioning why the trophy was not also taken to other places of worship such as mosques, churches or gurdwaras.
He argued that the trophy belongs to all Indians, regardless of religion, and should not be associated with a single faith.
Reference to 1983 World Cup Team
Azad also drew comparisons with India’s historic victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup under the leadership of Kapil Dev, highlighting the diverse religious backgrounds of players in that team.
According to him, that victory symbolised unity across communities, and celebrations should reflect the same inclusive spirit for the nation’s 1.4 billion people.
In his remarks, Azad specifically mentioned India captain Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir, and officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India and the International Cricket Council while questioning the temple visit.
Ishan Kishan Brushes Off the Controversy
India wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan, one of the standout performers of the tournament, dismissed the controversy when asked about Azad’s remarks after arriving in Patna on March 10.
Clearly irritated by the line of questioning, Kishan responded sharply to reporters.
“What has Kirti Azad said? Now what should I say about it? We have won such a wonderful World Cup – please ask better questions,” he said, indicating that the team preferred to focus on celebrating the victory rather than engaging in debate.
Stellar Tournament for Kishan
Kishan played a key role in India’s title-winning campaign, scoring 317 runs at a strike rate of 193.29, including three half-centuries during the tournament. His explosive batting performances were instrumental in India’s successful defence of the T20 World Cup title.
Celebration Overshadowed by Debate
While the team continues to celebrate its historic back-to-back T20 World Cup triumph, the episode highlights how sporting victories can sometimes spark broader discussions about symbolism, inclusivity and public perception.
For the players, however, the priority remains clear: enjoying the achievement and the pride it has brought to the nation.