Trinamool Congress MP and former cricketer kirti azad raised sharp objections after Suryakumar Yadav, coach Gautam Gambhir and ICC chairman Jay Shah carried the T20 World Cup trophy into a Hanuman temple in Ahmedabad on Sunday night (March 9, ET), saying the act should not belong to “one religion’s victory lap. ” kirti azad said the trophy belongs to all Indians and questioned why it was not taken to other faith sites. kirti azad framed his reaction around national unity and the multi-faith composition he highlighted from past teams.
Details of the temple visit and the match
The trophy was seen at the Hanuman Temple in Ahmedabad after Team India clinched the T20 World Cup title with a 96-run win over New Zealand at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Suryakumar Yadav, head coach Gautam Gambhir and ICC chairman Jay Shah visited the temple and took blessings with the trophy in hand on Sunday night (March 9, ET). Team India secured a third T20 World Cup title and became the first side to defend the trophy and win it at home, following the final in Ahmedabad.
Immediate reactions: Kirti Azad
Trinamool Congress MP and former 1983 World Cup player Kirti Azad wrote on X: “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!” kirti azad called the move shameful and said one religion got precedence. He added, “This Team Represents INDIA — not Surya Kumar Yadav’s or Jay Shah’s Family, ” and cited past multi-faith teams when making his point. kirti azad further referenced individual players, writing that Mohammad Siraj “never paraded it at a Mosque” and that Sanju Samson “never took it to a Church, ” underscoring his argument about universal ownership.
Quick context
Azad’s party TMC has been at odds with the BJP as state elections are barely a couple of months away, and the political environment in the state is already tense. The temple visit followed a high-profile final in which India posted the highest total in a T20 World Cup final and then bowled New Zealand out to secure the title.
What’s next
The exchange lands amid charged pre-election politics and is likely to be drawn into public debate in the coming weeks. kirti azad’s criticism places the temple visit squarely in that debate, while team leaders and political figures who were present have not been quoted here beyond the documented actions at the temple on March 9 (ET). Observers and party officials named in the public record will determine whether the issue becomes a lasting campaign theme.
