New Delhi, March 10: India clinched the T20 World Cup 2026 title by defeating New Zealand. Following the victory, team captain Suryakumar Yadav, along with Jay Shah and Gautam Gambhir, visited a Hanuman temple with the trophy. This act drew criticism from TMC MP and former cricketer Kirti Azad, who expressed his disapproval on social media, stating that India is a secular nation and such actions are inappropriate.
In an interview, Azad emphasized that players represent a team that includes individuals from all religions. He recalled the 1983 World Cup victory, highlighting the diverse backgrounds of the players. “Players and sports do not have a religion; they belong to their team. These players have made us proud,” he remarked, praising Sanju Samson and Mohammad Siraj while asserting that the Indian team represents the entire nation.
Regarding the temple visit, he questioned the implications of such actions, asking, “What difference is there between India and Pakistan now?” Azad, who identifies as Hindu, stated that he has never mixed religion with sports. “Art has no religion, which is why I opposed this act. I also visited temples before and after matches,” he added. He reiterated, “Our country is secular, so what happened was not right.”
Azad had previously taken to social media to sharply criticize the decision to take the trophy to a temple, expressing his embarrassment for Team India. He pointed out that during the 1983 World Cup win under Kapil Dev’s captaincy, the team comprised players from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian backgrounds. “Why is the Indian cricket trophy being dragged into religion? Why not a mosque? Why not a church? Why not a gurdwara?” he questioned.
He further stressed that the team represents India, not just the families of Suryakumar Yadav or Jay Shah. “Siraj never took the trophy to a mosque, and Sanju never took it to a church. Sanju played a crucial role in the tournament and was named Man of the Tournament. This trophy belongs to all Indians of every faith; it is not a victory for one religion,” he concluded.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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