Mumbai: Controversy erupts after India T20 World Cup captain Suryakumar Yadav, coach Gautam Gambhir, and BCCI secretary Jay Shah visited a temple in Ahmedabad with the trophy for blessings post-victory.
Trinamool Congress MP and 1983 ODI World Cup winner Kirti Azad slammed the move, posting on X: "Why The Hell Is The Indian Cricket Trophy is being Dragged. 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! " He called the religious favoritism "shameful."
Azad recalled the diverse 1983 team under Kapil Dev—Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christians—bringing the cup to "Bharat Hindustan," representing India, not individuals. “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,” he added.
Sunday night, following the final match, Suryakumar Yadav, Gambhir, and Jay Shah—son of Union Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah—visited Ahmedabad's Hanuman temple with the trophy seeking blessings. Congress MP Tariq Anwar criticized the temple visit with the trophy, stating it's not our tradition, and endorsed Kirti Azad's view as correct. Bihar Sports Minister Shreyasi Singh called Tariq Anwar's remarks shameful.
India clinched their third T20 World Cup title—and second consecutive crown—by defeating New Zealand by 96 runs in the final at Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium.