India head coach Gautam Gambhir has strongly reacted to a controversial statement made by former cricketer and MP Kirti Azad, who questioned why the T20 World Cup trophy visit included a Hanuman temple rather than a mosque or church.
The remark came less than 24 hours after India’s 96-run victory over New Zealand in the T20 World Cup final.
Gambhir called Azad’s statement “degrading” and said it dilutes the achievements of the Indian cricket team.
Celebrations Reflect Players’ Faith
After India’s win, Gambhir, captain Suryakumar Yadav, and ICC official Jay Shah visited a Hanuman temple to celebrate. Azad’s comment on social media read:
“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.”
Gambhir emphasised that players’ faith-based celebrations are personal and should not be questioned. Former spinner Harbhajan Singh also supported the team, stating that whether the trophy is taken to a temple, mosque, or church, the celebration is part of their faith and does not undermine inclusivity.
“It Should Not Be Politicised”
Speaking to ANI, Gambhir said:
“It’s a big moment for the entire country. Picking up statements like these only dilutes the achievements of the players. The team has worked extremely hard, and such comments degrade the efforts of the 15 players who contributed to this historic victory.”
He noted the challenges India overcame in the tournament, including a 76-run loss to South Africa in the Super Eights, followed by convincing wins over Zimbabwe and West Indies to reach the semi-finals.
India then defeated England in the semi-final, withstanding Jacob Bethell’s fighting century, before dismantling New Zealand in the final to become the first team to win the T20 World Cup three times, defend the trophy, and do so on home soil.
Public Response
The comment by Azad sparked widespread debate on social media, with many defending the team’s right to celebrate according to their beliefs, while others echoed Gambhir’s sentiment that politicising sports achievements is unnecessary.
Gambhir concluded that the nation should focus on celebrating the team’s historic win rather than creating controversies.
