Gambhir, Ishan respond to Kirti Azad’s allegation on temple visit with World Cup trophy

India’s historic T20 World Cup triumph has been overshadowed by a political and sporting controversy after former cricketer and Trinamool Congress MP Kirti Azad criticised Team India for taking the trophy to a temple following their victory. India had scripted history by crushing New Zealand by 96 runs in the T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, defending their title and becoming the first team to win the tournament three times.

However, celebrations soon turned contentious after skipper Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir and ICC chairman Jay Shah visited a Hanuman temple with the trophy to seek blessings. Azad, who was part of India’s 1983 World Cup-winning team, took to X to criticise the move.

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SHAME ON TEAM INDIA! ????

When we won the World Cup under Kapil Dev in 1983, we had Hindu Muslim Sikh and Christian in the team.

We brought the trophy to our religious birth place our motherland India Bharat Hindustan

Why The Hell Is The Indian Cricket Trophy is being Dragged.…

— Kirti Azad (@KirtiAzaad) March 9, 2026

“When we won the World Cup under Kapil Dev in 1983, we had Hindu Muslim Sikh and Christian in the team. We brought the trophy to our religious birth place our motherland India Bharat Hindustan. Why The Hell Is The Indian Cricket Trophy is being Dragged. Why NOT a Mosque? Why NOT a Church? Why NOT a Gurudwara? This Team Represents INDIA — not Surya Kumar Yadav’s or Jay Shah’s Family! Siraj never paraded it at a Mosque. Sanju never took it to a Church. latter had a major part to play and was man of the tournament. The Trophy Belongs to 1.4 BILLION Indians of EVERY Faith — NOT ONE RELIGION’S VICTORY LAP!”

The remarks triggered strong reactions from the cricketing fraternity, with Gambhir among the first to respond. “It is not even worth answering this question. These kinds of statements just degrade the players and team, which should not be done,” he said at the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash.

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#WATCH | On TMC MP & former cricketer Kirti Azad’s statement, Head Coach of Team India, Gautam Gambhir says in an interview with ANI, “…It is not even worth answering this question…These kinds of statements just degrade the players and team, which should not be done.”

Watch… pic.twitter.com/gIWtMpIbm8

— ANI (@ANI) March 11, 2026

Wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan also appeared unimpressed when asked about the controversy during a media interaction after returning to India following the World Cup win.

“We have won the world cup. What can I comment on what Kirti Azad said? Ask something better,” Kishan said, brushing aside the question and requesting reporters to focus on the team’s achievement.